File photo. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A man has been injured after a series of gang-related shootings in Gisborne overnight.
Tairāwhiti Police received several calls from the public reporting a series of gunshots in the Stout Street and Taruheru Crescent area at about 9.45pm last night.
They said a man in his 20s was shot in the leg and two vehicles of interest were seen.
A short time later, several more calls came through reporting shots being fired from a vehicle into a house on Rimu Street.
Police said they believed the incidents were gang-related.
Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Sam Aberahama said teams of investigators were out today doing scene examinations, and reassurance patrolling was continuing.
"We would like to thank the numerous people who called in to police reporting these incidents, as the sooner we know, the quicker we can respond and help prevent further harm," he said in a statement.
"Those people who called us have helped with that and I am hugely appreciative.
"We also have one of the vehicles of interest in our possession, and are following further lines of inquiry to piece together what happened."
Aberahama told Gisborne locals to call police straight away if they see any suspicious or unsafe activity.
"Your call could be the key we need to prevent harm from occurring in our community," he said.
