Stratford standoff: Man taken into custody after hours-long standoff with armed police

A man has been taken into custody after an hours-long standoff in Stratford.

The man emerged from the home on Achilles St just before 3pm. Police had been at the scene since about midnight.

Family members who were waiting near the cordon rushed to the cordon’s edge and shouted “we love you bro” when he appeared.

Police have now revealed the alleged offender failed to stop for officers around 10.30pm last night.

“Officers did not pursue the vehicle but maintained observations on it and it was spiked in Stratford,” a police spokesperson said.

“The vehicle came to a stop a short time later; the driver exited the vehicle and discharged a firearm towards officers.”

At 12.45am, the Armed Offenders Squad and a dog unit tracked the offender to the home on Achilles St.

Over the course of the day, cordons were established and the police negotiation team worked to engage with the man, the spokesperson said.

He shot at police twice more while police tried to coax him out.

“Fortunately, no one was injured,” the spokesperson said.

Earlier, a family member said she was terrified the police operation wouldn’t end well.

The woman, who didn’t want to be identified but described herself as a close family member, had travelled to Stratford from Waitara when police asked her to come and help calm the man down.

The family member told the Stratford Press she and other family members were terrified.

“We’ve had a few people shot by police,” she said.

The man has been calling family members and sending videos from inside the house.

“We are scared he will come out in a bag,” she said.

The family members said they had been communicating with Maori Party co-leader Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and told media they wanted the standoff to end peacefully, and referenced the Kaoss Price shooting.

She felt frustrated with the lack of information from police to family members who tried to help by encouraging the man to give up his weapon.

“We would appreciate a dialogue with those involved,” she said.

No injuries have been reported.

Earlier, a neighbour told the Herald police knocked on his door around midnight and asked him to leave. He went to stay at a friend’s house.

The neighbour said a woman lived at the home on Achilles St, but that he did not know her well.

Witnesses reported hearing gunshots this morning as armed police descended on Stratford.

The standoff has closed State Highway 3 between the Pembroke Rd and Monmouth Rd intersections, as well between Celia and Achilles Sts.

St Joseph’s School in Stratford confirmed via social media it was in lockdown and asked parents to stay away from the school.

Avon School is also in lockdown - but no students are present.

Police at the scene in Stratford. Photo / Ilona Hanne

Principal Lisa Hill told the Herald she made the call to advise parents to keep their children home after seeing the heavy police presence in the area.

She said her staff are inside the school with the blinds drawn, awaiting further instruction from the police.

“We were able to contact all families to keep students home,” she said.

Hill said many families had already called the school earlier in the morning and said they would be staying home.

Another nearby neighbour said she was blocked into her street by armed police and had heard what sounded like gunshots ring out earlier this morning. Maryam told the Herald she could hear the police shouting at the end of Achilles St - but couldn’t make out what they were saying.

“Stratford is a small town, it’s very unusual for something like this to happen.”

She said she first realised something was wrong at around 7.40am today when she tried to leave for work and saw all the police cars blocking the end of her street.

“The street has been blocked, access is blocked and it’s a one-way street - all we can see is the police, so I suppose we just have to wait until it’s over.”

Cordons are in place and more information would be given as it becomes available.

State Highway 3 in Stratford is closed due to an unfolding police incident. Photo / Supplied

NZTA Waka Kotahi asks motorists to follow the directions of the contractors on-site and to expect delays.

SH3 STRATFORD, TARANAKI - POLICE INCIDENT - 6AM
Due to a police incident overnight, SH3 is CLOSED at Stratford, between Pembroke Rd and Monmouth Rd. Please follow instructions from contractors on-site.
NB detour via Pembroke Rd, Monmouth Rd, back onto SH3. Reverse for SB. ^CS pic.twitter.com/DTggSLNJ46

— Waka Kotahi NZTA Central North Island (@WakaKotahiCNI) March 27, 2023

Northbound traffic is advised to turn left onto Pembroke Rd, then right on to Monmouth Rd and then left back on to State Highway 3 for the detour route. Southbound traffic to follow the same route but in reverse.