Police hunt for Christchurch shooter, neighbour assumed gunshot was fireworks

Police are searching for the person who allegedly shot a woman at a Christchurch property last night.

Officers were called to a Shortland St address in Wainoni about 8.45pm on Monday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Farrant said an ambulance called to the property found the woman in a critical condition.

Farrant said police are investigating after the "woman suffered what appears to be a serious gunshot wound”.

A scene guard remained in place overnight, and inquiries are ongoing today to locate the person responsible who left the scene in a vehicle, he said.

"Members of the public can expect a police presence in the area to remain while these inquiries take place."

Both ends of Shortland St were blocked off last night during the incident.

The Herald reported it understands the woman was hit in a drive-by shooting, and may not have been the intended target.

A neighbour told Stuff they heard the gunshot and saw a silver car leave.

“It was in no hurry to leave the street,” the person told Stuff.

Hato Hone St John said they were notified of an incident on Shortland St at 8.44pm.

“One patient, in critical condition, was transported to Christchurch Hospital,” a spokesman said.

Neighbour assumed the bang was fireworks

A woman who lives across the road from a house where the woman was shot and critically injured says she assumed the bang was fireworks.

Police are still hunting for the person who shot her and left the scene in a car.

Neighbour Shirley Achari said she heard people yelling and then what she thought was fireworks.

"We heard but we didn't come out to see what was happening because I thought it was a group of people shouting and yelling. Then the shooting one, we thought it was firecrackers," she said.

Achari said she only learnt of the shooting when her daughter returned from the supermarket and said the police had cordoned off the house.

She said she had often seen a young girl from the house going to school but otherwise did not know the family.

The shooting had come as a shock because the neighbourhood was usually very quiet, Achari said.

"I always tell everyone, my friends, that this is the quietest place and we are very safe and lucky to stay here in Shortland Street because we like quiet neighbours," she said.

At the cordoned off property, children's play equipment can be seen in the backyard and clothes hang on the washing line.

Officers were examining the scene, including inspecting a car covered by a tarpaulin in the driveway, while a police photographer took photos.

The area remains cordoned off, blocking access to Tahuna St.

-With RNZ