Alleged gunman styled himself on rambo - friend

Police in Napier, about 20 houses from where the gunman is holed up. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

A friend of the alleged gunman at the centre of a police siege in central Napier says he styles himself on Sylvester Stallone's Rambo film character and could have rigged his house with explosives.

Jan Molenaar, 51, has been surrounded by about 30 armed police in his Chaucer Road house on Napier Hill for 11 hours following a shooting incident this morning.

Senior Constable Len Snee was killed about 9.30am when he and two other officers were carrying out a routine cannabis warrant at the house.

The two officers and Molenaar's neighbour were injured by gunshots and were tonight in a critical condition at Hawke's Bay Hospital.

A friend of Molenaar told NZPA he was a former territorial army officer who strived to be like the movie character Rambo.

The friend said Molenaar had been out walking his dog this morning when he returned to find the police executing their search warrant.

A confrontation ensued and Molenaar retrieved a high-powered gun and began shooting, the friend said.

He said the 51-year-old was a "dab hand" with guns and explosives and police were cautious about entering the house as it could be booby-trapped.

He described Molenaar as a loner with just a few close friends.

He was obsessed with his fitness and had a gym in his home and had been known to run up Napier Hill with his brother on his back as part of his training.

It was unlikely Molenaar would give himself up quietly, the friend said.

- NZPA