Coromandel shooting: One dead, one seriously injured as police take person into custody

Police at a roadblock in Coromandel after a fatal shooting on Friday, December 13 2024.

One person has been killed and another injured after a shooting on a remote Coromandel road.

A large number of emergency services were at the scene on The 309 Rd on Friday afternoon in what police have described as a “critical” incident.

Police confirmed one person is dead and said they have one person in custody.

“Police were called to The 309 Road just after 2pm, where two people were located with gunshot wounds,” a spokesperson said.

“Members of the public provided CPR to one person, but sadly they died at the scene a short time later.

A second person was flown to Auckland Hospital with serious injuries, police said.

“One person has been taken into custody and charges are being considered.”

Police aren’t seeking anyone else and said an investigation is underway into what has happened in the lead-up to the shooting.

Police at a roadblock in Coromandel after a fatal shooting on Friday, December 13 2024. Photo / Al Williams

Witness describes giving CPR to victim

The owner of nearby tourist attraction Waterworks, who wished to be know as Jeff, said about 2pm a person ran onto his property saying a person was lying on the floor near the road.

Jeff said the person was “shot in the chest” and was pronounced dead at the scene.

“I ran out with my first aid kit and put him into the recovery position... I gave him CPR for 15 minutes before the Westpac Helicopters arrived.”

He said a second person was lying on the ground in close proximity, who he believed had been shot in the shoulder.

Jeff told the Herald it appeared the victims had been pig hunting.

“There was a pig on the back of [the deceased’s] ute, and it looked like he was in the process of butchering it.

“It appeared he had tried to move away from the vehicle, but I found him lying on the ground beside his ute.”

He said the deceased appeared to be about 30 years old.

”The other person wasn’t in the vicinity where I was, but I understand he was younger.”

The alleged shooter is understood to be a Coromandel farmer.

A local who said he knew the alleged shooter all his life described him as a nice guy and a bit eccentric.

He said the farmer has been picked on by poachers and it got to breaking point.

Person flown to hospital after shooting

Two Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters are in attendance at The 309 Rd, which has been closed by emergency services.

“Crew are transporting a patient to Auckland City Hospital from the Coromandel following a shooting incident this afternoon,” an Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter spokesperson said.

Crew are transporting a patient to Auckland City Hospital from the Coromandel following a shooting incident this afternoon. Image: Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopters

Hato Hone St John said it was notified of an incident in Waiau at 1:56pm today.

“One ambulance, one first responders unit, and two helicopters attended,” a spokesperson said.

“One patient in a serious condition is being airlifted to Auckland City Hospital.”

Graphic / NZME

A police spokesperson said they were responding to a “critical incident” in Waiau this afternoon.

“The 309 Rd is currently closed and members of the public are advised to avoid the area.

“More information will be released when we are in a position to do so.”

‘Interesting people’ down road

The 309 Rd is a 22km gravel road between the towns of Coromandel and Whitianga.

Neville Cameron, of the Coromandel Flying Club, said any sort of violence was unusual for the area.

He said he had watched two helicopters hovering over the 309 Road for nearly an hour.

“There are some interesting people down [the 309 Road], but you wouldn’t expect gun violence.”

“Don’t go 309 Road this arvo,” a local warned on Facebook.

Another said they had seen “heaps of police cars” speeding past on nearby Tararu Rd.

More to come