A police operation is under way in the Palmerston North suburb of Highbury. Photo / Dean Purcell
A police operation is under way in the Palmerston North suburb of Highbury this afternoon.
Police said members of the public are advised to avoid the Brentwood Ave area. Motorists were also advised to expect delays.
It comes after cordons were set up in the same suburb yesterday evening after a man pointed a gun at police.
He is also believed to have pointed a firearm at a member of the public, police said.
Officers spotted the man walking in Highbury about 8.30pm, and approached him as they believed there was a warrant for his arrest.
“Police stopped nearby, and approached the man who had since walked to a nearby address on Brentwood Ave. He was confirmed to have a warrant for his arrest. However, after police attempted to take him into custody, he became agitated, presenting a firearm at the officer before fleeing the scene,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
“He is also believed to have been involved in an earlier reported firearms incident, where a gun was allegedly pointed towards a member of the public while walking on Featherston St.”
Police put cordons in place around the area, and responded with armed officers as a precaution. However, the man was not located. Police are still working to locate him.
“We will not accept violence or attempted violence against our officers, or anyone in the community. We are out there every day working to keep our communities safe in what is increasingly a hostile environment,” the spokesperson said.
“We are providing support to the officer involved in this incident – while they were fortunately not physically harmed, the impact on this officer cannot be underestimated.
“If you saw the incident, or know the person involved, and have not yet reported information to us, please contact police on 105 either online or over the phone and reference file number: 250212/1858.″
More to come.
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The 15-year-old had been on a four-day experience on the Steinlager II yacht.