House shooting 'mistaken identity'

Police believe an incident where a gunman fired a shot through the door of a Palmerston North house last night was a case of mistaken identity.

Detective Sergeant Tim Moffatt said a woman answered the door of her home after hearing someone bashing on it and found a man standing outside with what appeared to be a shotgun.

He said the gunman had asked about drugs and was told he had got the wrong house.

After she closed the door the man fired a shot through it.

The incident happened in Geraldine Crescent in the suburb of Cloverlea at about 10.15pm.

Mr Moffatt said none of pellets from the blast hit the woman but she was treated for injuries caused by fragments of glass.

He said it was a traumatic experience for the woman and other family members who lived in the house.

Police were this morning investigating the incident and trying to establish whether the man was with another group of people in the area.

A vehicle described as an older style blue liftback with three other people was seen leaving the area.

The gunman was wearing a dark balaclava and described as being about 173cm tall and of slim build.

Police are urging the public report any suspicious behaviour or suspicious vehicles in the Geraldine Crescent area last night.

- NZPA