Shooter on the run -Tutira Northern Hawkes Bay

Police are on the hunt in Northern Hawke's Bay for an armed man who allegedly shot and killed another man earlier this afternoon and wounded a child in the arm.

Police say the dead man, aged 32,  was shot on a property on Waikoau Rd, near the settlement of Tutira on the Napier-Wairoa Rd.  An eight-year-old boy who was also at the property was shot in the arm.  He is currently in Hawke's Bay Hospital in a stable condition.  The dead man's name has not been released yet.

Detective Senior Sergeant Sean Hansen said the offender drove off from the Waikoau Rd property in his own vehicle and crashed it.  He then stole another car from a couple after he held them up at gunpoint.  The couple were unharmed.

Police believe the offender is still in that vehicle.  It is a green Ford Courier ute, registration ZQ7239.   Sightings of the vehicle are being sought by police.

"It's important that we hear of any sightings of this vehicle in the area around Tutira and Northern Hawke's Bay area or even as far afield as the Napier-Taupo Rd," Mr Hansen said.

Armed Offenders Squads from Hawke's Bay and Gisborne are in the area looking for the man.  It is not known what sort of firearm the man has.

Mr Hansen said details of the initial incident were sketchy at this time.
"We are still trying to ascertain what happened and why and who was involved.  We need to speak to a number of people to establish the facts."

Police from Hawke's Bay and Gisborne are involved in the search for the armed man.  Mr Hansen said if the green Ford Courier ute was seen by members of the public, they should not approach the driver and call police immediately.