Oamaru gunshots no random incident: police

Police say people should not fear for their personal safety after gunshots rang out in the South Hill area of Oamaru on Thursday.

Sergeant Blair Wilkinson, of Oamaru, said police were alerted to the sound of gunshots in Tyne St about 6.20am.

When police arrived, a blue station wagon parked outside a residential property was found to have had its windows shot out. It is believed a shotgun was used, he said.

The vehicle was not outside the address when the Otago Daily Times visited the scene yesterday, but glass remained scattered on the road opposite the harbour accommodation development site next to King George Park.

Sgt Wilkinson said police were following positive lines of inquiry and there was no reason for members of the public to be fearful for their safety.

"It does not appear to have been a random incident and there is no reason for residents of the South Hill area to feel at risk as a result of this having occurred."

One person commented on an Oamaru social media page that they heard at least three gunshots, and others reported being woken by the incident.

Inquiries are continuing.

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