Police officer injured, driver shot during search warrant in rural Auckland settlement of Āwhitu

A police officer has been struck by a vehicle and the driver shot at by police during a search warrant execution in Āwhitu this morning.

Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Shanan Gray said police officers, including the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) arrived at a residential address around 7am.

“As our staff arrived outside, it was reported a man inside of a vehicle attempted to drive into members of our staff,” he said.

“One police officer was struck by the vehicle and a second was required to dive out of the way of the oncoming vehicle.”

An armed officer was then forced to shoot at the driver, injuring him in the process.

Gray said the man received immediate first-aid by police and was then airlifted to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.

“Three other people were located within the address and have been detained in relation to this warrant.”

A fifth person fled from the area into nearby bush and the Police Air Support Unit (Eagle) responded.

Gray said despite efforts by the Eagle helicopter and Police Dog Unit, he had not been found.

“Police will remain in the area while our inquiries continue to locate them.”

He said, at this stage, police believed the man did not pose a wider risk to the public.

“There are now several investigations under way, including a critical incident investigation and a policy, practice, and procedure investigation.”

St John said they were called to an incident in Āwhitu just after 7am.

They sent one road manager, one rapid response vehicle, one road ambulance and a helicopter.