Police and the Armed Offenders Squad have arrested a 40-year-old man outside a mosque in Pakuranga.
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
A witness has described worshippers at an Auckland mosque panicking as armed police arrested two men nearby.
Police said they arrested a 40-year-old man in Cortina Place in Pakuranga, near the Pakuranga mosque but it was in no way connected to the mosque.
A nearby retail worker said worshippers at Friday prayers came pouring out of the mosque and were initially panicking.
But they soon calmed down when they realised the events were not connected with the mosque.
The retail worker said he saw the police pull two men from a white car and arrest them.
He said he also heard what sounded like shots but he was not sure whether they were from a gun or a warning device.
Police said although the arrest took place outside the mosque, it was in no way related to the mosque. They said no shots were fired.
"We understand that this incident may have caused alarm, but this matter has been resolved and is in no way connected to the mosque."
The arrested man is expected to appear in the Waitākere District Court tomorrow.
