KEY POINTS:
Police Minister Annette King has assured south Auckland residents their community is safe, after a gang shootout at an Otara tinnie house last night.
Two men, aged 27 and 29, were arrested overnight after a gang of armed youths arrived at a house on Othello Drive, Otara, and exchanged shots with the occupants.
Two youths were taken to hospital in private cars, one with a serious shotgun wound to the head and upper body and the other with wounds to his legs. Their injuries are no longer believed to be life-threatening.
Mrs King today made an impromptu visit to Othello Drive this morning.
She was joined by Manukau mayor Len Brown and District Police Commander Steve Shortland.
Mrs King said she wanted people to know the matter was being taken seriously and police were dealing with those involved.
Police earlier said the arrested pair would appear in Manukau District Court today on charges of unlawful possession of firearms and could face more serious charges.
Senior Sergeant Denise Traill from Counties Manukau police said other arrests could follow.
She said the house in Othello Drive where the shooting happened was a tinnie house known to police.
Police had visited the house, which had gang connections, on several occasions.
She would not confirm reports that Black Power and Mongrel Mob gangs were involved in the shootout.
She said police were still trying to establish what prompted the car load of armed youths to drive to the Othello Drive house and start shooting.
Police, who had recovered some firearms, would ask Manukau District Court to remand the arrested pair in custody.
"We believe from the incident more serious firearms charges will follow."
She said the large inquiry team was also looking at the possibility of charging other people.
The Herald understands that two cars pulled up to an address at Othello Drive, Flat Bush - near Clover Park Middle School - and up to six people stormed the house with firearms. Shots were fired and two of people in the house were injured in what some local residents believe was a gang confrontation or drug deal gone wrong.
It is understood the property may have been a tinnie house and those inside - as many as four people - returned fire.
Police spokesman Inspector Ian Brooker said the Northern Communications Centre received numerous calls from residents who reported hearing up to eight gunshots just before 8pm.
Mr Brooker said police arrived at the scene quickly and the Eagle helicopter was able to follow a car seen leaving the address.
At the hospital, officers located the car and found one person being let out with shotgun injuries to the head.
While police were speaking with the occupants of the car, a second vehicle turned up carrying another injured person.
Mr Brooker said the armed offenders squad was last night "clearing an address" in Othello Drive from which some of the shots were fired.
Neighbours were taken to safe locations during the ordeal and cordons were placed around the Othello Drive, Dawson Rd, Israel Rd and the Boundary Rd areas.
Dozens of armed officers and dog handlers gathered on Israel Rd about 9.30pm for what looked like a briefing before descending on the house in Othello Drive.
At the same time, at least 150 curious residents gathered at the cordons speculating on what was happening.
An Othello Drive resident said she had heard it was a "drug deal gone wrong and they got shot".
A worker at Othello Takeaways said he closed the store when the shooting happened - "to be safe".
He said he had seen "30 to 40 cop cars" go past.
Resident Pat and her daughter-in-law Anna were watching TV when they heard gunshots. "We heard a couple of bangs. We thought they were just cars backfiring," said Pat. "Next thing you know police cars are everywhere and the helicopter is circling."
She said there was a gang fight outside her house about five weeks ago and she and Anna were considering moving.
Anna said her children were last night staying close to where 22-year-old superette worker Krishna Naidu was stabbed to death on Friday.
"I was worrying about my kids being there and then this happens here - nowhere is safe."
Ms Traill said the sense police got from the community was of support for their actions.
"The community had a strong willingness to assist and were really quite positive in the cordons we had to put around the place."
Some residents were not allowed back to their homes for nearly four hours, but they all had a positive outlook.
"The community around the cordons were looking out for each other and taking care of each other which was good to see.
"It is something I have not seen on cordons before.
"You got a real sense of community spirit and support.
"It was a hot night and people were waiting in cars but the neighbours would be talking to them and there were water refreshments being offered for those who didn't have access to the houses."
- With NZPA
