Alleged gunman arrested in Bay

UPDATED: A scene examination is underway as Police Commission Mike Bush holds a briefing following the arrest of a man at the centre of a 22 hour siege in the Bay of Plenty.

Mike says it's believed three of his staff were shot with a shotgun and one might have been shot with a .22 rifle.


Rhys Warren is driven away by police, following his arrest.
Photo: Fairfax Media.

When asked about the role of family in the operation, Mike says police must work in partnership and the response and the result in the way this turned out "speaks for itself”.

Taupo area commander Warwick Morehu is being hailed a hero after he entered the property this morning to talk with Rhys Warren.

'To me the heros are the guys that went to hospital yesterday,” says Mike.

EARLIER:

Police have arrested a man at the centre of a 22 hours armed standoff in the Bay of Plenty.

The man was arrested without incident, say police.


An army LAV armoured vehicle at the siege before the alleged gunman was arrested. A video from Stuff.co.nz shows what unfolded at the scene yesterday evening.

Renee Wetini says her son had sent text messages to whanau last night saying he did not want to go back to prison.

Rhys Warren told them suicide was an option, reports Stuff.

"He's been weighing it up and he doesn't want to go back to prison so he was thinking of shooting himself," says Renee.

Warren was 21 years old when he beat up a dog ranger in Kawerau and spent time in prison, she says.

He's been out of prison for nearly two years but Renee says time inside affected him.

"I have a feeling that whatever was going on in prison has affected him mentally.

"He's come out of prison and he's loved the freedom."

She wanted him to come out freely.

"He would've been really scared. There were 100 cops here this afternoon, all armed up and everything and ready to go in."

Whanau approached police earlier in the day to help get Warren out but they didn't know at the time that officers had been shot.

"He's scared.

"He knows what he's done and that's it for him. He has to go back to [prison] but he doesn't want to go back."

"Our priority was always to resolve this without further risk to police staff or the public. This welcome development follows lengthy contact throughout the night with the individual by police negotiators and other police staff," says Police Commissioner Mike Bush.

"The individual will be given a medical check and taken to Whakatane Police Station."

Police will interview the man in due course about the events that have unfolded in the last 24 hours.

"I would like to thank all police staff and those in other emergency services who have worked on this operation," says Mike.

"I'd particularly like to thanks our colleagues in the New Zealand Defence Force who have provided support.

"I would also like to thank the public in the Bay of Plenty and beyond who have sent countless messages of support to the injured officers, and the wider police operation."

Mike says it's heartening to see the good will received during such events.

"I have this morning visited the two police officers who are in Waikato Hospital. I can say they are in good spirits, despite the traumatic events which they have experienced in the last 24 hours."

A major police investigation has commenced, which will build a full picture of what led to yesterday's shootings which led to four police staff being injured.

"I appreciate there are many questions which will be asked about this event.

"We will conduct a thorough and detailed investigation to establish exactly what happened, and act on any learnings which may arise," says Mike.

"I can say, however, that the successful resolution of this incident is due to the work of dedicated, professional staff who have worked tirelessly throughout the last 24 hours to achieve a safe outcome.

"The safety of the individual in custody, his family, the public and police staff has been our absolute priority from the outset."

Earlier:

Taupo Police area commander Inspector Warwick Morehu has just walked inside the cordon to speak to the man at the centre of a shooting in the Bay of Plenty.


Army lend support to police at the scene. Photo / George Heard

In a statement to media this morning, the family say this is what they have wanted all along.

Warwick Morehu, with armed forces, will enter the cordon to "collect their son", says a spokesperson for the family.

EARLIER:

Cordons remain in place around a property near Kawerau this morning after four police officers were shot.

Police say the situation at Onepu Springs Road remains unchanged.

"The major police operation is ongoing, but no further shots have been fired overnight," says a statement from police this morning.

"The priority for police remains resolving the situation peacefully, and ensuring the safety of everyone involved."

Cordons remain in place and a large number of police staff, including specialist units, have worked throughout the night.

Police are also working with the family of the individual involved to keep them updated about the police operation.

The mother of the alleged shooter told Stuff her son had got a job helping build a local geothermal park, where she found out Mongrel Mob gang members were also working.

"I told him to finish, which he did because he realised why ... it was too late. I think he was already impressed."

Police had no proof the shots had come from the house. They could have easily come from the other side of the road where there was a firing range, she says.

Before working at the geothermal park, her son had done a carpentry course and had planned to join the army but was too young.

The man's family remain at the cordons and have urged him to surrender.

The status of the four injured officers remains unchanged.

Two were discharged from hospital yesterday while another two are being treated in Waikato Hospital.

One is in a serious but stable condition.

Acting Commissioner Mike Clement says police are heartened by the messages of support which have been received from people throughout the country.

'I realise this incident will have caused great shock to the community in the Bay of Plenty and beyond.

'I would like to reassure everyone that police are doing everything we can to get this situation resolved peacefully.

'Bay of Plenty staff have told me they have been greatly touched by the messages they've received from the public and it is heartening to see the support which police receive in these difficult situations," says Mike.

'We are also very focussed on providing all the support necessary to our injured staff and their families."

Additional reporting - Stuff.co.nz


Police cordons at Onepu Springs Road overnight. Photos: Cameron Avery.


Rescue helicopters and ambulance with other emergency services at Onepu Springs Road.

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13 comments

siege

Posted on 10-03-2016 08:17 | By dumbkof2

this is pure stupidy. it should have been over within an hour. a couple of stun grenades and then stormed


Why should there

Posted on 10-03-2016 09:15 | By 2cents

be a Maori liaison officer provided? (as being requested by his family) This guy is a New Zealander and has carried out criminal acts. Come on!


@2cents

Posted on 10-03-2016 09:44 | By bubbles

Because at the end of the day, the goal was to resolve the situation without any one else getting hurt. Now that he's been arrested he should and will face the full consequences of his actions, but sacrificing another life would not have been a satisfactory outcome. If there is ever an opportunity to resolve a situation without any further violence, it should be used. And in this case, it was. Well done to all involved.


Armchair critics

Posted on 10-03-2016 09:48 | By nerak

Should we just be grateful it is over, and there were no further injuries, and the Police, being on the scene, dealt with this the best way they could? Too easy to expound on


Our gun control

Posted on 10-03-2016 10:47 | By mlow

There was a time when every gun in this country was registered, every time that gun changed hands..there was a notification. The Govt changed it..why??..because it was TOO HARD. Now we have licenced/registered owners..yeah..thats working..NOT. Todays technology would make it an easy job!!


@bubbles

Posted on 10-03-2016 11:26 | By 2cents

I never said to shoot or hurt him! Just use the usual means to sort the siege out! As in treat him as any New Zealander would be treated!


here we go again

Posted on 10-03-2016 11:44 | By The author of this comment has been removed.

I agree with dumbkof2 22hrs (REALLY)that is all that is needed 1hr would have done it,this reminds me of the song CONVOY armoured cars tanks and commodores and choppers filled the skys,they could have used a changi to send in the stun grenades ,this must have cost $$$$ thousands, waiting that long,wrong person in charge, get in and get it done,no fuss or bother,no trying to talk him out,no mamby pamby,just deal to it,my two pennies worth Thankyou SunLive


@2cents

Posted on 10-03-2016 12:49 | By bubbles

And thats exactly what they did! They utilised a Police Negotiator, and he did his duty...Does it matter whether he was "Maori" or not? He negotiated the safe and peaceful surrender of an armed offender. Nothing more, nothing less. Now the Alleged gunman will face the Justice system, just like everyone else. There is no difference here.


old trucker

Posted on 10-03-2016 13:33 | By nerak

So pleased you weren't there then! A search for changi tells me it's a district located at the eastern end of Singapore, can't find anything else?? I'm picking if the Police had done things your way and there were more injuries or deaths, you would have something negative to say about that too?


Hero or stupid, Mike?

Posted on 10-03-2016 17:25 | By maildrop

Depends on the outcome. To go in to speak with someone who has shot 4 officers and "doesn't want to go to prison" is madness. All to placate a gathering family crowd. Good for you Mike, buy a lotto ticket this weekend.


right outcome

Posted on 10-03-2016 18:09 | By GreertonCynic

With you there nerak. @old trucker, CONVOY and Commodores. Really?


Again

Posted on 14-03-2016 09:07 | By Old

Another weak extraction. Should of given him a hour. Not Hours. He's the one that wounded police. He's the one that shop at a plane. Save the tax payers money. Deal to him. He wasn't worry about who he might have killed. while the bullets were flying. Sent him to a Bali prison. Just maybe our country is not to bad.


really

Posted on 15-03-2016 15:18 | By tonyb1965

If you dont want to go to prison dont shoot at people


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