Police were called to a Waitārere Beach property hours before they responded to a fatal shooting following reports of a gun being stashed in a shed without a licence. 

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham expects police to take several days to complete a scene examination of the rural property off State Highway 1, where a man died and three others were found with critical gunshot wounds. 

The Herald understands the man who died was 60-year-old Benjamin Timmins, while the injured were a woman, 46, and two young men, aged 17 and 21. 

Grantham told the Herald that police were called to the Waitārere Beach Rd property around 7.15pm on January 13, after someone reported discovering what they believed to be a firearm on the property. 

Police located and seized a dismantled firearm, firearms parts and ammunition. 

“The items were seized with the intent of forensically examining them and considering any firearms-related charges that might be applicable, given that nobody residing at the property was the holder of a firearms licence,” Grantham said. 

Police seized a dismantled firearm and ammunition at the Waitārere Beach Rd address hours before they responded to a fatal shooting there. Photo / Mike Scott 

Emergency services responded to a reported shooting at the property around five hours later. Police came across a confronting scene, and Grantham commended those involved for their efforts. 

“As we work to understand how and why this tragic incident occurred, the information gathered in the earlier visit to the address by our officers will form part of our enquiries,” Grantham said. 

“I know the way events unfolded that night will weigh heavily on all those involved, but I’m confident the officers who responded to that earlier call did everything correctly and appropriately, based on the information they had to hand.” 

• Waitārere Beach shooting: Sister says brother was a 'broken' ex-soldier
• 'Tragic family incident': One dead, three critical after Waitārere Beach shooting

Police are expected to remain in and around Waitārere Beach over the coming days while a scene examination is conducted at the property. Photo / Mike Scott 

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

A fifth person, understood to be a family member, was found at the property unharmed and is now being looked after by relatives. 

The man’s body remains at the scene, and will be removed today ahead of a post-mortem examination tomorrow. 

“Locals can expect to see a police presence in the area for the time being,” Grantham said. 

All three victims remain in Wellington Hospital in critical condition. 

Police and forensic investigators at the property on Waitārere Beach Rd following a shooting that left a man dead and three others in hospital. Photo / Mark Mitchell 

‘Ben was a broken man’ 

Timmins’ sister Rachael O’Grady told the Herald her brother was a former soldier who had since turned to farming.

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

“Ben was a broken man,” she said.

O’Grady said the 60-year-old was known as a “staunch peacekeeping man” who had previously spent time in Iraq.

“He was commended for rescuing hostages,” she said.

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

In a tribute post on Facebook, O’Grady described Timmins as “my rock, my friend, my protector and above all ... my brother”.

“I will miss him,” she wrote.

“Loved friend, father, uncle and brother. Trickster, funny fella, all round solid gold.”

The deceased man is understood to be 60-year-old former soldier Benjamin Timmins. Photo / Mark Mitchell, Supplied 

What happened? 

Emergency services, including police, rescue helicopters and ambulances, were called to the property 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.

Inspector Grantham said officers were at the property within eight minutes.

“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,” he said.

“The quick response by police likely saved the three victims’ lives.

“Our officers were confronted with a harrowing scene that no one should have to witness.”

The woman was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance and the two men flown to Wellington Hospital. She has since been transferred to Wellington Hospital as well and all three remain in a critical condition.

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