Police and the Armed Offenders Squad swarmed Auckland’s North Shore Monday afternoon, causing multiple schools to go into lockdown.
It came after an earlier firearms event in Huapai, west Auckland, which police confirmed was linked.
Police were first sent to an address on Main Rd, Huapai following reports of gunshots at around 10.22am on Monday.
Huapai School was placed under lockdown just before 11.30am for two hours while police investigated. Kindy Kids Huapai was also instructed by the Ministry of Education to go into lockdown.
The police operation then moved across the city as police and the Armed Offenders Squad descended on a Beach Haven address.
Armed police could be seen on Lancaster Rd in Beach Haven just before 2pm, one witness described seeing “four or five” police cars responding.
The police Eagle helicopter could also be seen flying over the Beach Haven and Birkdale area.
A local writing on Facebook said that police were calling on someone to “come out of the house slowly with their hands on their head, saying the kids are scared and they want to make sure they’re safe”.
Nearby schools, Chelsea Primary School, Birkdale Intermediate School, Beach Haven Primary School, Birkdale North Primary and Verran Primary School, were all placed under lockdown for a period as a precaution just before 3pm.
“Please remain in your cars if you are at the school with doors locked. The purpose of a lockdown is to ensure the immediate safety of students, staff and visitors,” the Verran Primary School shared on Facebook.
The lockdowns were lifted and the children were able to go home approximately 30 minutes later.
A police spokesperson said staff remain at both the Main Rd and Lancaster Rd addresses while the incident is being investigated.
“At this stage, Police believe this was an isolated incident between parties known to each other,” the spokesperson said.
“Police are speaking with people who are assisting with enquiries.”
Area Commander for Waitematā North, Inspector Matt Laurenson said it was “standard procedure” to place schools in close proximity to firearms-related incidents into lockdown.
“We understand this must have been alarming for parents and members of the community alike,” Laurenson said.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing, and we will advise the community if there are any updates.”
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