Shots fired as gangs clash

A man was attacked by a dog and shots were fired after partygoers clashed in South Auckland early yesterday.

Police said they were called to a reported shooting in Flatbush at 3.30am.

Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Pizzini said there was an altercation between groups of youths who had been at parties in the area.

Residents in Penion Drive said a fight broke out in the street before shots were fired.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pizzini said police could not find a shooting victim but spoke to a man in Middlemore Hospital with a bad dog bite to his arm. The 18-year-old said someone had set a pitbull terrier on him.

Armed police later searched a property in Penion Drive and found a hidden .303 rifle and ammunition.

Local residents said there had been a fight, with a number of youths wearing colours of the Bloods street gang, and a man was left lying on the road.

Someone went to a nearby house and came back outside with a firearm. Residents heard three loud shots but were too frightened to go outside.

A 16-year-old male will appear in the Youth Court at Manukau today charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawfully discharging a firearm and receiving.

Detective Senior Sergeant Pizzini said more arrests were likely.