Slug gun found, police speak with man

UPDATED 10.40AM: Police are speaking with a man in relation to this morning's gun scare events, and have located a slug gun from a nearby property.

Western Bay of Plenty Area Commander Inspector Clifford Paxton says police were advised of a male carrying a firearm on Courtney Road, Tauranga about 8.50am.


Police speak to staff and security outside WINZ on Courtney Road this morning.

Police responded to the calls and located a 29-year-old male in the nearby area, he says.

"A slug gun in a carry case was located in the nearby vicinity."

Clifford says the man told police that he had the slug gun in his possession with the intention to sell it.

"No threats have been made to anyone in the vicinity, including those in a nearby WINZ office."

The man is being spoken to by police on unrelated matters, he says.

"Whilst in this case there appears to be no link to recent issues involving threats to Work and Income Agencies, police continue to work with these agencies in a pro-active way and will take swift and decisive action to any perceived threats to safety."

Earlier:

Police are speaking to a man in relation to the gunman scare near the WINZ office in Greerton this morning.

NZ Police Inspector Andy Brill says Police received a call about a person believed to be acting suspiciously, and possibly carrying a gun case, in the area near the WINZ on Courtney Road.

He says police have since located the man in question and are speaking with him.

He says there is no connection to WINZ in the matter.

'There is no suggestion to anything untoward, it's all a bit blown out of proportion but we have to take things seriously.”

Police are still outside a property on Courtney Road where police photographers are present.

The events have occured on the same day thousands of people are expected to attend public memorial service for the victims of last week's WINZ shootings in Ashburton today.

Earlier:

Police are speaking with staff at a Tauranga WINZ office after reports of a man carrying a rifle in the area.

Police cars are parked outside WINZ on Courtney Road, Greerton, and two security guards are standing guard.

SunLive understands a man was spotted carrying a gun in the area this morning, prompting calls to police.

A reporter at Courtney Road says the security guards outside appear shaken by the incident.

They said police are inside speaking to managers.

It is understood nobody has been hurt.

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4 comments

paranoid

Posted on 11-09-2014 10:27 | By rosscoo

Think this getting out of control and Winz staff now getting paranoid. Think they need to relax and stopping treating everyone who walks through door as a criminal.


1 4 GK

Posted on 11-09-2014 15:44 | By 1 4 GK

So Rosscoo, it's OK to carry firearms around town then? Crikey, if I was a WINZ staff member and I saw someone wandering by with a firearm, I'd call the police quick smart. These folk just lost two of their colleagues in Ashburton (and a staff member of their own just recently) so your comments are extremely insentitive - deserving of an apology I'd suggest!


jmac

Posted on 11-09-2014 16:53 | By JohnMac

My daughter works in a winz office and I hope they are super cautious. Better sure than sorry is far wiser than a cavalier attitude that ignores a potential for harm.


It's a relief

Posted on 12-09-2014 13:18 | By morepork

There was no threat in this case but I strongly disagree with rosscoo that staff need to relax. Maybe he/she could try working in a WINZ office for a while and see how relaxed you feel at the end of the week? It is sad to see the attacks on WINZ and it is so pointless and stupid. These people need to be protected and not feel under threat because they are doing their job.


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