The sister of the man who died in a shooting overnight in Waitārere Beach in the Horowhenua district says he was a “broken” man.

Police have confirmed a 60-year-old man died in the incident, while the injured survivors were a woman, 46, and two young men, aged 17 and 21.

A fifth person at the property was unharmed.

The local mayor earlier described the shooting as a “tragic family incident”.

The Herald understands the man who died was 60-year-old Benjamin Timmins.

Timmins’ sister Rachael O’Grady told the Herald her brother was a former soldier and he worked on a farm.

She said he worked with the animals and bred cats and dogs, including ragdolls and golden retrievers.

“Ben was a broken man,” she said.

She went on to describe him as a “staunch peacekeeping man” who had spent time in Iraq.

“He was commended for rescuing hostages,” O’Grady said.

At the time of the interview with the Herald, O’Grady said she was on the way to identify her brother’s body.

What happened?

Emergency services, including police, rescue helicopters and ambulances were called to the emergency about 12.40am on Wednesday, after a 111 call from the settlement north of Levin.

The shooting left three people with life-threatening injuries.

Timmins was found dead at the Waitārere Beach Rd address and police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the incident.

“Responding officers were told that a firearm had been discharged at the address and, when they arrived, four people were found with wounds that are consistent with being shot,” Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham said.

“The woman was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance and the two males flown to Wellington Hospital.

“Another young person who was at the address is physically unharmed and they are being given wrap-around support.”

Police and forensic investigators at the property on Waitārere Beach Rd. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Grantham said a firearm was located at the scene and a forensic examination of the property would begin today.

A local shopkeeper said he was familiar with the couple that lived at the Waitārere Beach Rd address but he did not know them personally.

He said he believed the man who lived there had a reputation for being “impatient”.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson confirmed they were called to the scene at 12.41am and sent two ambulances, two rapid response vehicles, two helicopters and an operations manager.

Just before 2am, NZTA was warning road users to avoid the intersection of Waitārere Beach Rd and State Highway 1 because of a “police incident” and to delay their journeys if possible until further notice. SH1 was not affected by the closure.