Man shoots woman over cellphone

Photo / Martin Sykes

A young woman has been shot in the head during an argument over a stolen cellphone.

The 19-year-old was covered in blood after the attack with a sawn-off air rifle in Morrinsville on Thursday.

The shot, from 15-20m away, left 10 rifle pellets embedded in her skull.

Detective Brent Burne said police arrested a 25-year-old local man. The pair, who were friends, had been at a nearby swimming hole when they began arguing about the phone.

"There was a bit of an argument, he aimed at her and just shot. Luckily it was an air rifle," said Burne.

"According to the victim, he looked at her and aimed right at her. She saw him and thought 'oh, this isn't good'."

The woman dived to avoid being shot but was hit on top of her head.

Soon after she was picked up by a motorist on Rukumoana Ave and taken to her mother's house.

She was taken to Waikato Hospital by ambulance and discharged later that night.

The offender was charged with committing a dangerous act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and faces up to 14 years in prison.

Burne said the shot could have been fatal: "It was just as powerful as a real rifle. We believe he meant to inflict serious injury."

Police sergeant Don Wilkinson was shot dead by an air rifle in September last year.

Gun dealer William Cleverdon, of Will's Fishing and Firearms on the North Shore, said air rifles had to be taken as seriously as proper rifles and agreed the incident could have been fatal.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY