Two dead after firearms incident in Nelson - police
A man and a woman have been found dead after a shotgun was stolen from a store in Nelson.
The theft in the industrial suburb of Annesbrook was reported just before noon, acting Tasman District Commander Superintendent Blair Macdonald said.
The offender left in a vehicle before police arrived. A short time later, they were alerted to a firearms incident on the nearby Parkers Rd.
When they arrived, a man and a woman were both found dead.
“Initial enquiries suggest the two deceased were known to each other ... I can reassure the public that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to public safety,” Macdonald said.
Police were providing “support to their loved ones” and investigating the circumstances into what exactly had occurred.
As part of their enquiries, police were also at a property on Sanctuary Drive in Stoke.
“Cordons have been established in the Quarantine Rd, Parkers Rd, and Sanctuary Drive areas,” Macdonald said.
“Scene guards are also in place.”
The public should avoid those areas, and nearby residents could expect to see an increased police presence in the coming days, he said.
The incidents occurred near Nelson Airport, but road access to the airport remained open via Bolt Rd.
“We understand this incident was deeply distressing to members of our community, and we are providing support to those who witnessed the incident unfold. Police are not seeking anyone else in relation to this incident.”
Hato Hone St John confirmed earlier it was called at 12.02pm to Quarantine Rd.
“One ambulance and one operations manager responded to the scene,” a spokesperson said.
Police earlier told the public to avoid two key roads near Nelson Airport, but said road access to the airport was open.
Nearby State Highway 6 was temporarily partly closed, but had reopened, NZ Transport Agency wrote on Facebook.
Nelson City Council wrote on Facebook this afternoon access to Parkers Rd between Muritai St and SH6 remained closed while police investigated.
“We will update once the closure ends. Please eBus R2 will continue to use the detour route.”
Nelson Māori ward councillor Kahu Paki Paki was driving on Parkers Rd when he saw “cops all over the place” and a white ute in the middle of the road at the intersection of Parkers Rd and Muritai St.
“There was no sign of a crash, and there was a dozen people out on the street.”
The ute was “parked right across the road”, Paki Paki said.
“As we came out of Pascoe St, it looked like it had been in a collision. But as we as we came past it, there were two cop cars in front of it with all their lights on and they were blocking the road.”
The Herald contacted several businesses in the Parkers and Quarantine roads area, but no one who answered knew what had happened.
“All I heard was a huge amount of sirens,” said one woman.
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