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A man is in Waikato Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after being shot by Police during an incident in Hamilton this morning.
Police responded to reports of a vehicle being driven erratically on Cambridge Road in Te Awamutu just before 9am, according to Inspector Will Loughrin, Acting Waikato District Commander.
Initial information suggested the driver was wanted by Police in relation to prior serious incidents.
Police monitored the vehicle’s movements and deployed units to Ulster Street in Hamilton, where the vehicle was located as it attempted to leave a carpark.
Officers prevented the vehicle from leaving, at which point the man presented a shotgun.
“Police appealed for the man to put the shotgun down, which he failed to do,” Loughrin said.
An officer then fired two shots at the man.
Police provided immediate medical assistance at the scene, before Hato Hone St John transported the man to hospital.
He remains in a moderate condition and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A second occupant of the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene.
“Thankfully, no Police staff were injured in this incident,” Loughrin said.
Ulster Street remains closed from the Mill Street intersection, with traffic being diverted down Richmond Street.
Staff from the Mill Lodge Hotel in Ulster Street were told to stay indoors during the incident, a spokesperson told the Franklin Times.
Members of the public are advised to avoid the area, with road closures expected to remain in place for several hours.
“We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing public safety risk following this incident,” Loughrin said.
Police are conducting reassurance patrols in the area, and residents can expect an increased Police presence in the coming days.
Support is also being provided to the officers involved.
A critical incident investigation has been launched, and the shooting will be referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority, as is standard procedure for any incident involving a Police shooting.
