Residents near Christchurch shooting street allowed home

Shayne Sime was shot by Armed Offenders Squad members after a two-hour shooting spree. Photo / Supplied

Evacuated residents of a Christchurch street near the house of a paraplegic gunman killed by police have been allowed to return to their homes.

Residents of Guildford St, in suburban Christchurch, were evacuated on Monday night, when shots broke out from a house in Wadhurst Place, a cul-de-sac off Guildford St.

Gunman Shayne Sime was shot by armed offenders squad members two hours after they arrived at the cul-de-sac, where he had been indiscriminately shooting.

Neighbours in Wadhurst Place were not yet allowed to return, Detective Superintendent Brett Kane said.

Police expected the scene examination of both the street and Sime's house to continue until at least Friday.

More than 100 shots were fired during the siege, and one of Sime's neighbours and a police officer were shot.

Police have set up an email address for the shooting, op.burnside@police.govt.nz, to allow people not willing to wait for police to answer their telephones to give information.

"[It] is a good opportunity for people to report damage to property or anything else they think is relevant.

"We are grateful to the residents for their patience and assistance," Mr Kane said.

Police were investigating suggestions the Sunday night incident was "suicide by cop". Some threats had been made to the police throughout the event.

Yesterday, Sime's family apologised to those affected by his rampage .

A friend of the family, Ann Hicks, said Sime had been a much loved member of the family, a loving son, brother, father of two sons, and a good person.

She said Sime had head trauma when he was 24, leading to a wasting disorder, eating his muscles to the point where he was confined to a wheelchair.

Before his accident he was a fisherman who loved his work, and he did karate to near black-belt level.

Forty police staff would remain on the inquiry for the rest of this week.

Sime was holder of a firearms licence. He was granted the licence in 2006, at age 39, after appropriate inquiries had been made.

Police found three weapons at the house - two shotguns and the high-powered .308 calibre rifle.

- NZPA