By Angela Beswick
A second firearm has been found near where a police officer was shot in Papatoetoe early today.
The 28-year-old constable is having emergency surgery after he was shot in the leg and elbow by a man in South Auckland early this morning. He is reported to be in a serious but stable condition.
Earlier today police confirmed one gun had been found at the scene but said later two weapons had been found. Police are still trying to establish who fired the shots.
No further details on the type of weapons or their calibre was available.
The officer and a colleague were on a routine patrol when they saw a vehicle with its hazard lights on in a Papatoetoe driveway about 4.15am this morning.
The officers believed there was a possibility the vehicle was being interfered with, Superintendent Mike Bush of Counties Manukau police told a media conference this morning.
As they approached the vehicle, shots were fired from the darkness, hitting the constable in the leg and elbow.
The officer, who has been in the police for a year, lay injured where he had fallen as his colleague radioed for help.
Armed police arrived on the scene within minutes and dragged the injured constable to safety before rushing him to hospital.
The officer was shot in his leg and elbow and suffered severe blood loss.
Mr Bush said the constable was "extracted" because police did not know if the gunman was still on the scene or what danger they may have faced from further gunfire.
"I applaud that decision, and I think the actions of the six or seven staff that went in as a team to extract the constable were also very brave actions," he said.
No other shots were fired, he said.
The armed offenders squad is still at the scene, where a cordon remains in an area around Buckingham Crescent and Allenby Road.
Local resident Katrina Bently says she heard three gunshots and there has been a police helicopter flying overhead.
"[The police] told us not to go outside, not to turn on any lights or anything. They said that there had been gunshots in the area," she says.
Police have asked residents within the cordoned area to remain indoors.
A weapon had been recovered nearby and several people were being spoken to by police, including one who was found near the scene, Mr Bush said.
Police were unsure if the gunman was one of those being interviewed or if he was still on the loose.
"We are talking to a number of people, one person of significant interest. This person was located close to the scene. We are trying to establish what role he played within the incident. It is believed that there may still be one more offender outstanding," says Mr Bush.
Two firearms have been located at the scene. All staff at the scene are armed and the area is cordoned off.
"There were a number of rounds fired, obviously we're speaking to a number of people at the moment, there are several people assisting us with our inquiries, however we believe there may be one or two people we need to locate."
The shot officer's colleague who witnessed the shooting was traumatised and undergoing counselling.
3 News / NZPA
Watch extended footage from the scene of this morning's shooting