Second firearm found

Scene of an incident where a police officer was shot
Scene of an incident where a police officer was shot
A second firearm has been found near where a police officer on routine patrol was shot in Papatoetoe early today.

The 28-year-old, only a year out of his police training, fell to the ground with gunshot wounds to a leg and an arm.

The wounded constable was rescued by armed police who responded to the call for help from the wounded officer's colleague.

Earlier today police confirmed one gun had been found at the scene but said later two weapons had been found.

No further details on the type of weapons or their calibre was available.

The constable and a colleague were on a routine patrol when they saw a vehicle with its hazard lights on in a Papatoetoe driveway about 4.15am.

The officers believed there was a possibility the vehicle was being interfered with, Superintendent Mike Bush of Counties Manukau police told a media conference this morning.

As they approached the vehicle, shots were fired from the darkness, hitting the constable in the leg and elbow.

The officer, who has been in the police for a year, lay injured where he had fallen as his colleague radioed for help.

Armed police were on the scene within minutes and dragged the injured constable to safety before rushing him to hospital.

The wounded police officer lost a lot of blood and had emergency surgery at Middlemore Hospital several hours after the shooting.

Mr Bush said the constable was "extracted" because police did not know if the gunman was still on the scene or what danger they may have faced from further gunfire.

"I applaud that decision, and I think the actions of the six or seven staff that went in as a team to extract the constable were also very brave actions," he said.

No other shots were fired, he said.

The armed offenders squad was also activated and is still at the scene, where a cordon remains in an area around Buckingham Crescent and Allenby Road.

Police said several people were being interviewed and police were still trying to establish who fired the shots.

"It is believed that there may still be one more offender outstanding," said Mr Bush.

The shot officer was in a serious condition while his colleague who witnessed the shooting was traumatised and undergoing counselling.

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