22 Feb 2015

Police hunt for killer of Hamilton man

6:16 am on 22 February 2015

Police in Hamilton are hunting for the killer of a man who was shot on Friday evening.

Detective Sergeant Nick O'Brien at the police news conference today.

Detective Sergeant Nick O'Brien Photo: RNZ / Andrew McRae

Michael Thompson, who was 29, was shot at close range outside a property in the suburb of Melville and died a short time later.

Police will only say that they are looking for more than one man in relation to the shooting which happened after a verbal altercation.

Detective Sergeant Nick O'Brien said they did not believe the public had any particular reason to be fearful and there was nothing to suggest that there was a danger to people in that area.

He said people should be vigilant and if they did become concerned they should contact police.

Mr O'Brien said the weapon used had not been found yet.

He refused to speculate on gang connections to the shooting but said the police were monitoring gang movements in the area.