Serious assault at Wellington property hit in one of three shootings last week
Tuesday, 19 January 2021
Police have blocked off a property believed to be involved in a drive-by shooting in the Wellington suburb of Strathmore last week, following a serious assault.
At least eight officers, and three police vehicles were at the cordoned off apartment complex on Ngatiapu St on Tuesday afternoon. A police spokesman said a man and a woman were assisting police with their inquiries.
A piece of wood was covering a window near the entrance to the complex, where shots were fired last week.
A police photographer could be seen taking photos inside, while officers spoke to neighbours.
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It comes as police investigate the involvement of gangs in three separate shootings within 24 hours at properties in Wellington and Hutt Valley last week, including one at the Ngatiapu St apartment about 12.40am on January 11, when a shot was fired from a vehicle at the window.
Half an hour before police arrived in Ngatiapu St on Tuesday, a resident living next-door to the property, Italia Tauloa, said she spoke to a man trying to jump her fence and asked him to leave.
She said the man, in his mid 20s, looked worried and told her he was looking for a set of keys.
Another resident on the street, Alaynah Failava, said an armed police presence was seen at the apartment complex earlier on Tuesday. She said she saw police barging down a door and an ambulance arriving.
Another nearby resident, who didn’t wish to be named, said there had been commotion on the street recently, and she had woken to hear shouting, screaming and people running away.
She said she often saw people wearing gang patches and insignia at the property.
Some officers speaking to neighbours on the street were seen by Stuff wearing pistols on their belts.
In last week’s incidents, less than an hour after the shot was fired in Ngatipu St, a window was shot out at a property on Reynolds St in Taita.
No one has been charged over the incidents.
Stuff understands a shotgun was used in both shootings and police are investigating the potential involvement of gangs in the incidents.
Later that day, about 2pm, a property on Poole St in Taita was shot at.
A 23-year-old man has been charged with unlawfully possessing a firearm in relation to the shooting.
No one was injured in any of the incidents.
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Steve Wescott said the shootings were extremely serious and it was fortunate no one was hurt.
“We are committed to holding the offender or offenders to account, and we are following lines of inquiry, but we need help from the Taita and Strathmore communities.”
Police are seeking information from anyone who may have witnessed anything suspicious in the early hours of January 11, in either the Strathmore or Taita areas, or from anyone who has any other information that may assist police.
- Anyone with information is asked to contact Police on 105 and quote file number 210111/6662 (Strathmore) or file number 210111/7190 (Taita).