16 Mar 2012

Police still to speak to man in custody after stabbings

9:03 am on 16 March 2012

Police say it could be several days before they can speak to the man being held under police guard in hospital after a stabbing rampage in Christchurch.

The 27-year-old was pepper-sprayed, tasered, then shot in the wrist and shoulder by police.

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A council worker who was repeatedly stabbed remains in critical but stable condition in Christchurch Hospital.

A woman truck driver abducted and stabbed has since been discharged from hospital.

The drama began at Redwood School about 7am on Thursday when a man threatened two staff members with a knife, and attempted to break his way into a classroom where they had hidden.

He kidnapped a delivery driver, forcing the woman to drive him in her truck before stabbing her in the shoulder.

The man was then seen banging on windows of cars pulled up at the intersection of Hoon Hay and Halswell roads, before repeatedly stabbing a Christchurch City Council employee.

Two passers-by confronted the man and held him off until police arrived on the scene.

Police say the 27-year-old in custody has undergone surgery. He is from the Somali community and officers have been talking to his family.