Armed police at their cordon on the corner of Kingsbridge Place and Colchester Crescent in Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell
A man has died after being shot by police in Newlands, Wellington, today.
And a tense stand-off has occured at the scene early evening as patched gang members approached police at the cordon around the shooting location.
Police confirmed they were called to a family harm incident on Kingsbridge Place about 3pm.
"On arrival police made voice appeals to the man, who made threats to police and attempted to barricade himself inside the address with the victim," police said in a statement.
"Police fired multiple shots at the man from outside the property, critically injuring him.
"Officers immediately rendered medical attention to the man and requested ambulance assistance, however the man died a short time later.
"The woman at the address was found with non-life threatening injuries and has been treated at the scene by ambulance staff."
Police said a young person at the address was not physically injured. Support will be provided to these victims.
Police said they would now undertake a formal identification process in relation to the deceased and his family will be provided with support.
"We understand this will be a shock to the Newlands community and we want to reassure them that there is no ongoing risk," Inspector Tracey Thompson, Acting Wellington District Commander, said.
"There will be an increased police presence in the area in the coming days as we conduct a scene examination and make enquiries.
"This will also have a huge impact on the officers involved, and we will be providing them with support."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority will be notified and a Critical Incident Investigation is underway.
Tonight several patched King Cobras gang members approached police aggressively at the cordon blocking access to the address where the fatal shooting occured.
Earlier police said they were attending a "serious incident" in Newlands, Wellington, amid reports of the sound of gunshots being heard.
Pictures posted to social media show armed police, and ambulances at a cordon in Newlands.
Newslands resident Amy Merrin, who lives near where the incident happened, said she heard at least five gunshots, one after the other, around 3.50pm.
"Very clear and loud," she said.
Merrin, who has three young children, said the situation had made her feel uneasy and she had locked her doors.
Jaume Benson-Guiu, who lives two streets away from where the incident happened, said the sound of the gunshots was "shocking and so loud".
"First, it didn't really click... At first, I thought it could be gunshots, but I almost didn't accept that in mind. Then (I thought) it must be with all the police cars coming through."
He said he heard police sirens and saw many police cars driving passed before hearing the shots.
"I never thought this was something that would happen in Newlands. This is really worrying and makes it real to me how much crime there is at the moment."
Resident Ruth Mead told Newshub she had seen scenes like this on the news but didn't expect to see them on her own street.
"Six shots real quick, like 'boom boom boom boom boom boom', and like I said to my neighbour 'I've been here for 20 years, never seen this many cops'.
"It was terrible," she said.
"It's pretty scary."
A spokesperson said cordons were in place and while there was no ongoing risk to the public, people were asked to avoid the Kingsbridge Place area.
"Further information will be released when available."
At least three ambulance service vehicles were at the scene.
Members of the armed offenders squad, and other armed uniformed police, were also present.
Several people have posted to social media claiming to have heard gunshots.
Kingsbridge Place is a cul-de-sac just off Colchester Cres.
Police also confirmed they were investigating after a man's body was found at a nearby park. But the two incidents have not been linked.
The body was discovered in Odell Reserve on Punjab St, Khandallah.
The death is being treated as unexplained at this stage and a scene examination will take place.
"CIB will be investigating the circumstances of the death," police said.
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