AT APPROXIMATELY 10 PM ON SATURDAY 05 MAY 2007 A DRIVE BY SHOOTING OCCURRED IN THE SUBURB OF GONVILLE, WANGANUI.
A NUMBER OF PERSONS WERE AT AN ADDRESS WHEN SEVERAL VEHICLES DROVE PAST THE LOCATION AND SHOTS WERE DISCHARGED INTO THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE.
UNFORTUNEATELY A CHILD ASLEEP IN THE FRONT OF THE PROPERTY WAS STRUCK BY ONE OF THE BULLETS. A TWO YEAR OLD FEMALE DIED AT THE SCENE.
THIS SHOOTING IS A TRADGEDY FOR ALL CONCERNED SAID INSPECTOR DUNCAN MACLEOD, AREA COMMANDER FOR THE WANGANUI POLICE.
AN INNOCENT CHILD IS NOW THE VICTIM OF TIT FOR TAT RETALIATION BETWEEN RIVAL GANGS IN THE CITY AND CONFIRMS POLICE AND THE COMMUNITIES WORST FEARS.
POLICE HAVE LAUNCHED A HOMICIDE INQUIRY AND ARE APPEALING TO WITNESSES THAT HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS TRAGIC EVENT TO CONTACT POLICE WITH THAT INFORMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
ANY ONE IN THE GONVILLE AREA WHO HAS INFORMATION ON THE SUSPICIOUS MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE OR VEHICLES BETWEEN 8.00PM AND 11.00PM ARE URGED TO CONTACT THE POLICE ON 06 3490600.