Horowhenua shooting a 'tragic family incident'

Police at the scene at Waitārere Beach, a small settlement 13km south of Foxton. Photo: RNZ

Warning: This article discusses family harm.

Horowhenua's mayor says a shooting overnight that left a person dead and three critically hurt was a family harm incident.

Police were called to a Waitārere Beach address near Levin at about 12.40am today.

They found four people with gunshot wounds when they arrived.

Hato Hone St John said it sent two helicopters, two ambulances, one operations manager and two rapid response vehicles to the scene.

Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Ross Grantham said a woman and two teenage boys were taken to hospital in a critical condition. The woman was taken to Palmerston North Hospital by ambulance and the two teenagers were flown to Wellington Hospital.

Inspector Ross Grantham. Photo: RNZ

A man was found dead at the scene, and no-one else is being sought in relation to the incident.

"Another young person who was at the address is physically unharmed and they are being given wrap-around support," Grantham said.

He said the gun was found at the scene and a forensic examination of the property would take place today.

Horowhenua Mayor Bernie Wanden told RNZ it was a family harm incident and described the shooting as tragic.

"As far as I am aware, it is only family members that have been involved in this incident," he said.

A neighbour near the scene said she heard helicopters flying overnight. Traffic management was set up on the main road in front of her house, but she had not been visited by police.

Grantham said police were not looking for anyone else in relation to the shooting, and officers would be visible around the area while an investigation was under way.

"This is a shocking incident for Waitārere Beach and the district," Grantham said.

"This was a confronting scene, and I want to acknowledge the emergency personnel who responded to the call for help.

"We are still in the very early stages of our enquiries, but we are focused on understanding how and why this tragic event occurred."

He said police would release more information when it becomes available.

Another family killing

The latest incident comes just over 10 years after a horrific crime shook the small township.

In 2016, 26-year-old Eric McIsaac was sentenced to life imprisonment after he admitted murdering his brother, 10-year-old Alex Fisher, at Waitārere Beach the previous year.

Alex's body was found after a three-day search involving more than 100 people helped by helicopters, police dog units, search and rescue teams, and Air Force personnel.

McIsaac was sentenced to life in jail with 14 years without parole for the murder.

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