Ian Kerrisk
The actions of two German tourists have been described by
police as "blatantly stupid" after they were found shooting a
slug gun in a popular freedom camping area.
Central Otago sub area commander Senior Sergeant Ian Kerrisk
said armed police from Roxburgh and Alexandra were called to
Pinders Pond, near Roxburgh, about 8.20pm on Wednesday after
police received reports of people discharging a firearm in
the camping area.
He said the men (both 20) had set up a target on a tree, at
which they were firing shots, but the tree was "directly in
front of several caravans ... [and] any shots that missed the
target were going into the area where campers were".
"It was dangerous and blatantly stupid on their part."
He said the men had been arrested and charged with disorderly
behaviour likely to cause violence and they had been bailed
to appear in the Alexandra District Court on January 18.
"While the police are satisfied that they did not intend to
cause any alarm, anyone who chooses to discharge a firearm or
slug gun in a camping area ... is liable to be arrested.
"We urge people to think of safety first and exercise common
sense with items such as slug guns," he said.
The men were in the country for several months looking for
work, Snr Sgt Kerrisk said.
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