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Armed offenders squad at Coromandel address

Author
NZME staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 30 May 2016, 4:37PM
Armed police (Getty Images).
Armed police (Getty Images).

Armed offenders squad at Coromandel address

Author
NZME staff,
Publish Date
Mon, 30 May 2016, 4:37PM

UPDATED 8.31pm Police say a possible domestic violence incident involving a gunman in the Coromandel Peninsula has ended.

Cordons have now been lifted on the Kopu-Hikuai Road after an incident which began at 2.10pm today.

At 6pm, the male had not been located and police lifted the cordons in the area.

Police staff are continuing to try to locate the male and do not believe he poses any risk to the wider community.

A Waikato police District Command Centre spokesman said that the incident was closed, but the alleged gunman had not been apprehended.

A St John Ambulance spokeswoman said an ambulance had been assigned to attend the incident, but would not comment further.

Police said the man had allegedly fired a number of shots at a house bus on the property.

The Eagle helicopter assisted in the incident.

A witness said at least 12 police cars had driven past her home in Kopu.

Earlier today Police said that the Kopu-Hikuai road was closed between Kopu and Kitahi Rd and drivers were advised to use SH25 instead.

All roads are now open, but police are yet to confirm whether the alleged gunman has been caught. 

Hikuai School principal Jared Stein said the school wasn’t really affected by the incident, and only one child that lived along the blocked road had to make alternative arrangements.

Initial reports from police that two local schools went into lockdown were incorrect.

Police said the schools did not go through lockdown procedures as previously stated, as they were not in any immediate danger. 

Hikuai resident Steve McLachlan said he had popped into town to check his mail about 2.30pm to find a police road block at the junction between the Kopu-Hikuai Rd and the road to Tairua.

“There were a couple of cars and police with guns, it must be serious.” Mr McLachlan said.

He said police had let him through the cordon but said he should stay inside when he got home.

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