An Indian taxi driver was shot after being caught in the crossfire by an alleged offender shooting at police in Rotorua on Sunday, September 1.
The incident happened around 5:35 p.m. when police tried to stop a vehicle suspecting a stolen car and the offender exited the vehicle shooting at the police. The bullets hit the police patrol vehicle. A bystander also received moderate injuries in the shooting.
Amidst this incident, a taxi driver was also shot, and he reached out to a House of Spice restaurant in Lynmore for help.
Manager of House of Spice restaurant said that a tax driver, who is a regular customer to his place came into his restaurant bleeding profusely from his neck and shoulder.
“The taxi driver came inside the store and asked to take him to the hospital.
“His taxi was parked in front of the store,” Surender Pal Singh, manager of House of Spice told The Indian Weekender.
“I asked one of my staff to take him to the hospital, and it appeared that he had been shot,” Mr Singh added.
A Lakes DHB spokesperson told Stuff that the taxi driver is in a stable condition and recovering in Rotorua Hospital.
Police said that the alleged offender threatened another person and took their vehicle.
“Further down Te Ngae Road, he then stopped at an address, where he took a second vehicle,” Acting Rotorua Area Commander, Inspector Brendon Keenan said.
NZ Herald reported that the second car which the offender took was being driven at a speed of up to 140km/h before being spiked by police.
“That vehicle was followed by Police and was spiked, coming to a stop on State Highway 30 near Okatina Road,” police media said.
One witness told NZ Herald that the white car came down the hill and it was loud as the front tyres were ruined.
“The Vehicle braked outside his [the witness’] house then carried on for a few metres before pulling into a nearby home where he drove up the drive,” NZ Herald reported.
The alleged offender was then taken into custody, and a firearm recovered
“There was a huge presence of the police cars at the scene,” the witness said.
Police are continuing to make enquiries into the circumstances of the incident.
More to come.