A teenager has died after being shot with an airgun he and
four friends were playing with while they were drinking at a
Manurewa home last night.
Neighbours and people at the home tried to help the
18-year-old before he was rushed to Middlemore Hospital,
where he died shortly after arrival.
Police are considering whether charges will be laid as a
result of the death.
Detective Inspector Dave Lynch said the five youths at the
home "had been playing with an air rifle and an air pistol as
well as drinking alcohol".
"At this stage there is no indication that the shooting was a
deliberate act, however the exact circumstances around how
the 18-year-old was shot will be subject to a thorough
investigation by police," Mr Lynch said.
"The investigation will determine whether anyone will face
charges as a result of the death."
He said air guns were "powerful weapons that have potential
to kill or seriously injure".
"They need to be handled in the same manner as firearms and
certainly not used by anyone under the influence of alcohol.
"This tragedy should serve as a painful reminder that these
weapons are not toys and need to be used in a controlled
environment by responsible people with appropriate target
awareness and knowledge of their power."
A post-mortem examination is planned for today.
Mr Lynch said police were not looking for anyone else in
connection with the shooting and both weapons had been
seized.
- Kieran Campbell
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.