KEY POINTS:
A 19-year-old man from Palmerston North was fighting for his life last night after being shot in the head during a possum hunting expedition.
Detective Dave Wishnowsky of Palmerston North police said the man was shot early on Saturday morning during a possum hunt with seven friends.
The shooting happened on a friend's parents' dairy farm off Tennent Rd, Linton.
"Witnesses and family are distraught at what has happened and are providing strong support for each other," Wishnowsky said.
He said four of the eight in the hunting party had firearms licences, and that the victim was not holding a firearm when he was shot.
Police believe the shooting was unintentional.
The wounded man was driven by a friend to Palmerston North Hospital. He was later transferred to Wellington Hospital.
A spokesperson said the man was in intensive care and in a critical condition.
Duncan Toogood of the Manawatu Fish and Game club said it was unusual to hunt possums around Tennent Rd as the blocks of bush ranged from a quarter to a half acre. Tennent Rd residents said they occasionally saw young boys hunting possums, but it was not a regular occurrence.
Police will not release the victim's name until all his next of kin have been notified.
