Houses searched in hunt for Hamilton gunman

File photo / Herald on Sunday

Armed police have searched several Hamilton properties this morning as the investigation continues into the shooting of a shopkeeper last night.

Police were called to the liquor store on Greenwood Street about 9.40pm after two offenders wearing balaclavas, one armed with a shotgun and the other armed with a hammer, confronted the owner.

The 58-year-old liquor store owner was shot in the right shoulder and also suffered a fractured skull, believed to have been caused by being hit with the hammer, Inspector Karen Henrikson said.

The offenders fled with alcohol and drove off in a waiting car.

The victim had undergone surgery in Waikato Hospital and was in a serious but stable condition in the high dependency unit. He was expected to need further surgery over the next 24 hours, Ms Henrikson said.

"Our victim's adult nephew was also in the store at the time of the attack and though assaulted was not injured but he is obviously shaken by what happened," she said.

Police searched several homes in the Hamilton suburbs of Dinsdale, Bader and Enderley this morning looking for the offenders.

"Members of the Waikato Armed Offenders Squad supported the operation and distraction devices were used. However, no shots were fired," she said.

"A number of people at the addresses have been spoken to today but to date no arrests have been made and we are still seeking information from the public on who may have been responsible for this cowardly attack."

Police were yet to speak to the store owner but had spoken to his family, who had asked that their privacy be respected.

Police were in the early stages of their investigation and were looking into a possible link with the robbery of a store in Hamilton's Grey Street on Thursday night, during which a shotgun was also fired.

Police wanted to hear from anyone with information.

- NZPA