Christchurch Police have arrested three people in relation to a shooting early this morning in the central city.
A 22-year old Christchurch man has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, reckless discharge of a firearm, and discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
A 23-year old Christchurch man has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm, and a 22-year old Christchurch woman has been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and being an accessory after the fact to discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
The three will appear in the Christchurch District Court tomorrow.
All three were located and arrested late this afternoon, after Police searched an address in Spreydon. The armed offenders squad was deployed as a precaution to assist police in gaining entry to the property.
A Mitsubishi van believed to have been involved in the incident has also been taken from the property. Police had earlier seized a Mercedes car which had been used to transport the shooting victim to hospital.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Hill says specialist search teams completed a search of the Spreydon property this afternoon. Police have not recovered a weapon but a quantity of ammunition was located at the address.
Investigators will further examine the two vehicles tomorrow.
Detective Senior Sergeant Hill says the incident was not gang-related. “It appears to be related to a dispute between individuals associated with the two groups of people who were involved in the shooting.
“At this stage Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.”
The shooting occurred at around 3.40am this morning on Harper Avenue. Cordons around the area where the incident took place have now been removed.
A 22-year old man remains in Christchurch Hospital with a single gun shot wound to his chest. He is reported to be in a serious but stable condition with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening.
ENDS
Note: No interviews or further comment available at this time.
For more information:
Stephen Hill, Communications Manager, Canterbury Police District
03 3637815 / 027 4363701