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An Air New Zealand employee was robbed at gunpoint and shot three times in California
The Press Telegram newspaper reports the man was visiting the Cerritos town centre when he was met by two men in a parking lot at about 12.30am on Monday local time.
Sergeant Donald Alexander of the Cerritos Sheriffs station told the paper the two robbers demanded money before taking the man's wallet and pulling out pellet guns.
Mr Alexander said the robbers then shot the man twice in the hand as he covered his face and once in the back.
He was treated at the scene.
Mr Alexander said it was common for robbers to use pellet guns, which look like hand guns.
"But they don't generally shoot the victim," Mr Alexander said.
Air New Zealand spokeswoman Tracey Palmer confirmed an airline employee was involved in an "incident".
She said the staff member was not injured and is receiving ongoing support from the airline.
"We are in still in dialogue with LA police over the incident and do not yet have full details, so are not in a position to provide additional comment," Ms Palmer said.
