Rotorua: Man critically injured after neighbour hears gunshots at Te Ngae Shopping Centre

A resident who lives near a Rotorua shopping centre where a man was shot last night said he was startled awake by the sound of gunshots.

The resident said he knew straight away that he was hearing shotgun blasts at the Te Ngae Shopping Centre.

Police say a man suffered critical gunshot wounds about 10.50pm last night.

An area at the shopping centre was cordoned off this morning.

The neighbour, who spoke to the Rotorua Daily Post on the condition of anonymity, said there was blood on a grass verge at the shopping centre.

He said he’d given a statement and his security camera footage to police.

Police cordon at Te Ngae Shopping Centre following gunshots on Monday night. One person was critically injured. Photo / Andrew Warner

“We were asleep, next minute ‘bang bang’. I knew it was a shot gun. I know my shot gun blasts from my rifles.”

The man said his security footage showed one car arrive and then another car. People got out of the cars and shots were fired.

He said people could then be seen running towards the alleyway that leads to Vaughan Rd. One of the cars then could be seen driving down Vaughan Rd.

“There’s blood all around the area where he got shot on the grass verge.”

The neighbour said it was scary that something like that happened so close to where they lived but they were unfortunately used to seeing things like this having lived in the area for several years.

“We see lots of things I tell you.”

A Rotorua Daily Post photographer at the scene this morning said an area of about 80sq m at the back of the shopping centre was cordoned off this morning and about four police cars and police staff remained at the scene.

A police spokesman said a man was being treated in hospital after suffering critical gunshot wounds.

He said police had increased their presence in the area.

A Te Whatu Ora Lakes spokeswoman said the patient remained in Rotorua Hospital in a serious condition this morning.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.