Man in custody after standoff with AOS

Photo / file

A Taranaki man has been arrested after armed police responded to reports that a woman had been shot in the leg.

New Plymouth police the man is now in their custody following the armed callout to an Okato, Taranaki, address, early this afternoon.

Senior Sergeant Allan Whaley said officers were advised about midday of a domestic incident that had taken place in Okato.

Police - including members of the Armed Offenders Squad from New Plymouth - cordoned off the house and nearby area after it was initially reported that shots had been heard at the house and a woman had been shot in the leg.

A woman has been taken to Taranaki Base Hospital by ambulance.

The extent and nature of the woman's injuries are not yet known, although she is able to talk with police.

AOS and police negotiators appealed to a man who had barricaded himself inside the house.

He gave himself up to police about 1.30pm without further incident.

- HERALD ONLINE



Armed police have been called to the scene of a suspected shooting south of New Plymouth which left a woman with leg injuries.

The incident at an Okato house was reported to police at 12:05pm by a neighbour.

Inspector Paul Jermy said a woman with leg injuries had been evacuated from the house by someone who did not live there.

She'd been picked up by ambulance services.

Inspector Jermy said the incident may have involved firearms.

The house had been cordoned off and the armed offenders squad is on its way there, he said.

"That approach is expected to come soon."

Inspector Jermy said he did not know the connection between the injured woman and the person who had taken her away from the house.

He said there had been conflicting reports the woman's injuries were from a dog bite.