By Amanda Gilles
A man shot by police at his south Auckland home last night remains in hospital in a stable condition.
Police say William Smith was armed with a spade and a leaking gas cylinder and advancing when he was shot in the legs. They had used pepper spray and tasers but to no avail.
Neighbours said Smith had been drinking all morning and had been fighting with his partner, Kura Ngaheu.
Her two upset children ran to the neighbours before Ms Ngaheu managed to escape to the house next door - bruised, battered and crying.
“He knew she was here, he stood outside my house. Apparently he had a knife,” says one witness.
His partner then called the police who tried to approach him just before 5pm.
After police arrived, Smith was shot in both legs, and then rushed to hospital.
Smith and Ms Ngaheu have been together for about four years and have a history of violence.
Smith now remains in Middlemore Hospital where he spent the night in the intensive care unit then was moved to another ward following surgery.
Police are hoping to talk to him tomorrow and three separate investigations are already underway.
3 News