Wairarapa Police are asking anyone with information about a series of “loud bangs” that were reported in Masterton on Saturday morning to get in touch.
“We had at least five reports of what was believed to be shots fired on the eastern and northern sides of Masterton,” Wairarapa area prevention manager Gill Flower said.
“At this stage, no injuries or damage to property have been reported.
“We still want any information from anybody who has heard or seen anything to help substantiate what is going on.
“Obviously, we don’t want someone going around with a firearm.”
Flower noted that several police staff had also heard the bangs. Police have conducted extensive area searches and are continuing to investigate in order to locate any CCTV footage or evidence of the offence, she said,
The first call about the unsettling sounds was received at 3am on Saturday morning from an address on South Rd, while the final call was received from a Lansdowne address at 7.32am.
“Initial information also suggests that a vehicle was possibly also in the area,” a national police spokesperson said in statement during the weekend.
Any residents with information or CCTV footage that could help police in their inquiries are asked to call the 105 non-emergency line and quote the file number 240427/0125 or pop into the Masterton police station at 21 Church St, Masterton.
Was it “ a series of “loud bangs” or “…believed to be shots fired,” Wairarapa area prevention manager (? – prevention of what, exactly?) Gill Flower said.
Those who shoot (legally & regularly) will know the difference, & being 11+km from South Rd, & having heard the reported noises, I’ve never heard gunshots, even shotgun, at that distance.
“At this stage, no injuries or damage to property have been reported. (But) “We still want any information from anybody who has heard or seen anything to help substantiate (why?)what is going on.” Is there not sufficient “real crime” that needs investigation?
“…we don’t want someone going around with a firearm.” See above = speculation or ignorant assumption? It used to be referred to as “a car backfiring”!