New Plymouth CIB are investigating the fatal shooting of a woman in a remote settlement near Okoki in rural northern Taranaki late this afternoon.
Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, officer in charge of New Plymouth CIB, said the police were advised shortly after 3.30pm that a woman who is believed to be in her 50s had died in a house following a shooting.
Police and other emergency services responded. The house will remain guarded overnight as part of a full scene examination. He said police stopped a vehicle near Waitara a short time after the shooting and are speaking with a person who was in the car.
“Inquiries at this early stage have not established how the shooting happened or the relationship between the victim and the person who police stopped in a vehicle,” Detective Senior Sergeant Coward said.
“It is premature for people to speculate on what happened and who might be involved. We have been talking with people who were at the house to find out more.
“This is a stressful and emotional time for people who were present and we are mindful of this.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Coward said a full scene and forensic examination will continue tomorrow – at the shooting scene, and a car located near Waitara.
“Our investigation is in its infancy as we gather the facts of what happened. I’m unable to comment on what sort of firearm was used or what prompted the shooting at this point.”
Police will not be releasing the name of the victim tonight. There are identification and family notification processes to follow.
No further details are available at this stage.
Kaye Calder, Police Public Affairs, mobile: 027 241 6305