Armed police call-out over alleged violin attack

Relations hit a sour note between two Westport youths yesterday, culminating in one allegedly hitting the other over the head with a violin and the armed offenders squad being called out.

Senior Sergeant Geoff Scott, of Westport police, told NZPA the pair had been drinking at a Romilly St house during the afternoon, when the 17-year-old showed his 18-year-old friend a pistol, which he tucked into his waistband.

The pair later argued, with the younger man threatening to kill the other man, who hit him over the head three times with his violin.

He then fled to a neighbour's house and called police.

Due to the seriousness of the threat, the local armed offenders squad was called in, along with squad members from Nelson and Blenheim.

The younger man left the house and police spent some hours trying to locate him.

The incident finally ended at 1.15am today, when a relative tracked down the teenager and talked him into handing himself in to police.

Mr Scott said the matter was still being investigating and no charges had been laid.

- NZPA