A witness to the police shooting of a man in Motueka yesterday says officers repeatedly asked the man to drop the firearm he was carrying.
Pah Street, Motueka, where the shooting took place. Photo: RNZ/ Tracy Neal
Ford Hurinui, 27, was shot after half an hour of negotiations with Tasman District Police officers.
He was moved to Wellington hospital last night after surgery in Nelson hospital.
The Capital and Coast District Health Board said he was still in the Intensive Care Unit.
A witness to the shooting described the lead up to the shooting.
"Police were saying put it down, put it down and he wouldn't put it down and that went on for quite a while.
"Some people were trying to talk him out of it and then after about half an hour I heard a bang and he dropped to the ground," the witness said.
Police in Motueka. Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Another witness said Mr Hurinui was not pointing his rifle at police.
"He had the gun facing down his leg, its not like he was aiming it at the cops, and one of them just shot and took him out," the witness said.
Tasman District Commander Superintendent Karyn Malthus said if a person presents a firearm at police, they run a serious risk of being shot.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified of the shooting and will investigate.
