Roxburgh shooting victim named

The woman who died after a shooting in Central Otago on Friday has been named as 60-year-old Lesley Ann Johnston.

Mrs Johnston appeared to have been shot at her Roxburgh address, about 4.45pm, Detective Sergeant Derek Shaw, of Central Otago Criminal Investigation Branch, said.

Mrs Johnson's 66-year-old husband, who has not been named, was also found at the address with critical injuries and was flown by emergency helicopter to Dunedin Hospital. He had been operated on and was in the intensive care unit, Mr Shaw said.

A firearm believed to have been used in the incident was found near the couple's Smith Street house.

Mrs Johnston's body was removed from the property yesterday afternoon and was taken to Dunedin for a forensic examination, Mr Shaw said.

"The scene remains guarded and the examination is continuing. That examination is not expected to be completed until at least Monday.

"We are following a positive line of inquiry in the investigation, which we are treating as a homicide."

Nobody has been charged in relation to Mrs Johnston's death but police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident, Mr Shaw said.

"I can reasonably assure the general Roxburgh community of their safety."

- NZPA