UPDATE: Incident in Richmond, Christchurch

Please attribute to Superintendent John Price, Canterbury District Commander: 
 
A man remains in a serious condition in Christchurch Hospital today after being shot by police last night.
 
The man, a 33-year-old Woolston resident, had been wanted by Police in relation to an earlier incident on Anzac Drive early on Saturday morning, where shots were fired at two police cars in two separate events.
 
In that previous incident, officers signalled a car to stop in Wainoni, due to the manner of driving. 
 
The car failed to stop, and officers saw what they believed to be shots fired from the vehicle, towards police. 
 
Police immediately abandoned the pursuit.
 
Further shots were then fired from the same vehicle towards a stationary police car parked on Dyers Road. 
 
Extensive enquiries had been undertaken since Saturday morning to locate those involved. 
 
A subsequent incident occurred last night at around 7.20pm after police officers spotted the car that was being sought in relation to Saturday’s incident. 
 
Police signalled the car to stop, but the driver failed to stop and fled from police.
 
A pursuit was initiated, and during that pursuit, it appears the driver of the car has deliberately driven towards an officer who was laying down road spikes. 
 
Fortunately that officer was not injured and the car was successfully spiked, coming to a stop on Eveleyn Couzins Avenue in Richmond.
 
The man immediately got out of his car, presented a firearm, and shot at police a number of times. 
 
Police returned fire, and the offender was shot. 
 
Police immediately provided first aid, and the man was transported to Christchurch Hospital in a serious condition. 
 
The man remains in hospital today under police custody.  His condition is described as serious but appears to be stable. 
 
The man is likely to face a number of serious charges that will be determined through the investigative process.
 
We are extremely lucky that no innocent members of the public or police officers were injured during this incident. 
 
The 13,000 people that make up New Zealand Police come to work every day for the purpose of keeping our communities safe.
 
Our officers are the few selected to protect the many, and are members of our communities.
 
They are effective in large part, due to the support and trust and confidence of the wider public. 
 
When officers are threatened, harmed or targeted carrying out their duties, it tears at the very fabric of our society.
 
It is simply, unacceptable. 
 
The safety and welfare of our staff is my absolute top priority. To my Police team, I want to thank you for everything you do, every single day, to ensure the safety of all of us. 
 
I would like to acknowledge the officers involved in both these incidents.  I am confident that they responded appropriately to this extremely dangerous incident and they have my full support.
 
I would also like to acknowledge the residents of Eveleyn Couzins Avenue and the surrounding streets. 
 
I understand this would have been a very alarming event for nearby residents and I would like to thank them for their cooperation and assistance as we work at the scene of this incident. 
 
A scene guard was in place on Eveleyn Couzins Avenue overnight and there will be a police presence in the area again today as we work at the scene.
 
I can reassure local residents that we have no further concerns for safety in the area as a result of this incident. 
 
Can I also once again reinforce that when Police call upon people to stop on the roads - that you stop. 
 
It is for your safety and the safety of others.
 
ENDS
 
Issued by Police Media Centre.