Manhunt sparked after Gisborne shooting

File photo / Bay of Plenty Times

A gunman allegedly shot a man in the face, robbed a liquor store and then stole a car at gunpoint in Gisborne yesterday before being stopped by police 40km away.

The crime spree left the man shot in the face in Waikato Hospital in a stable condition and the alleged gunman in Gisborne Hospital under police guard after being charged with assault.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott of Gisborne Police said the incident began about 3.30pm when a man went to a Gisborne property in Childers Rd, near the Elgin shopping area, a number of windows were broken and a man was shot in the face with what appeared to be a .22 calibre rifle.

The alleged gunman then went to the Red Door liquor store, where he threatened two female staff with the rifle and demanded cash from the till before leaving.

Mr Scott said the gunman then pointed the gun at a woman in a car parked nearby and then stole the vehicle.

The car was driven to the Otoko area of State Highway 2, 40km away, where he was stopped and arrested by members of the police armed offenders squad.

The shooting victim was flown to Waikato Hospital, where he was in a stable condition.

Mr Scott said the gunman was charged with assault and was under police guard at Gisborne Hospital, where he was being treated for injuries believed to have been caused when breaking windows at the Childers Rd address.

Police and forensic scientists were investigating a number of scenes.

Anyone who witnessed any of the incidents around the Elgin shopping centre are being asked to contact police.

Mr Scott said police had still to find the firearm.

State Highway 2 was closed for a time during yesterday's manhunt.

- NZPA