Paraplegic killed by police after officer shot - Christchurch NZ

A wheelchair-bound paraplegic was killed by police in Christchurch late last night after he shot a member of the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS).

Police said the 40-year-old man was thought to have shot "in excess of 100 rounds of both shotgun and 308 into houses in the cul-de-sac where he lives" before being fatally shot.

Inspector Rick Jury said that the man suffered from a head injury, was possibly suicidal, and that alcohol could have been involved in the incident.

"He contacted family members today saying [Sunday] that he was suicidal but I understand he did make threats to police via the negotiating team who were in contact with him," Mr Jury said.

Officers had rushed to Wadhurst Place in Burnside about 9pm after receiving reports that a man was firing a shotgun and a .308 rifle.

They evacuated residents and cordoned off the area. St John Ambulance later said that two people - one the AOS man, the other a resident - were taken to Christchurch Hospital with moderate injuries.

Mr Jury said the AOS member had been shot in the head and the male neighbour also suffered a gunshot injury but neither wound was life-threatening.

After the officer was shot, the AOS returned fire and officers and paramedics later confirmed the man had been killed.

Mr Jury said the man's next of kin had been informed but his name was not yet being released.

"The police express their deepest sympathy to the family," he said.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority would be investigating.

Earlier, police spokesman Sergeant Lindsay Turner had said that shots had not been directed at any persons, "but a number of house windows have been smashed".

But about 1 o'clock this morning police area commander Dave Lawrey held a media conference and announced that the armed offenders squad had shot dead the wheelchair-bound gunman.

Frightened residents tell of shooting

Residents of Wadhurst Place reported hearing gunshots from 8pm.

Terrified neighbours were told to stay inside and below window-level during the early part of the siege, before being evacuated to Burnside High School.

Russell Keely said his wife Diane was home alone next door to the gunman when she started hearing shots about 7.45pm.

She heard about 40 shots in total and was "very frightened". He tried to get home to be with her but was turned back by police.

Diane Keely and other residents in the street were eventually evacuated by police.

Mr Keely said he knew the paraplegic man describing him as "quiet".

A nearby Guildford St resident said she was watching television when she heard noises like a car back-firing.

"I heard all these noises. I thought it was a nail-gun. It was random (and) it came over such a long period of time."

She was escorted from her home by armed police and protected by a bullet-proof shield.

Shortly after 9.50pm another resident said he heard half a dozen "different sounding" shots coming from the cul-de-sac and the sound of a dog yelping.

More details of the shooting are expected to be released at a media conference at 10am.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• paraplegic
• killed
• police
• Christchurch
• shot
• Armed
• Offenders
• Squad
• (AOS)
• nz
• new
• zealand
• herald
• Wadhurst
• Place
• Burnside

[JonTheChron]

@666sdmfkil u and yer family mate

[libertyORrevolution]

@paraplegicfan "Shoot at the police and you deserve to be blown away"...You Can't be serious! Nobody should be given immuntiy from right and wrong.  When a "peace officer" violates the constitution rights of the citizenry that officer becomes a justified target. Mindless drones like you are going to ruin this world with your blind support for authority.

[ogringofromdownunder]

And they want to arm these morons? It's clear that they have proved their own incompetence when it comes to operating a weapon of any sort and not to mention that many of the police are hot-headed idiots looking out to hurt people...of course not all of the police here are dicks but I would have to say from my personal experiences with them most of the piggas down here are and should never be armed with anything more than a water pistol

[moonieparone]

I meet Shane in 1988,while he was spending time in the Waikato.we became really gud mates then,but went our own ways,and i lost touch with him,till i heard his name mentioned on the news.A top guy,and i bet missed so much by his kids and family.its been a year now Bro...

[666sdmf]

fuck you all shane was my uncle. you smart fucks are lucky it wasnt you getting shot at.

[corruptiongovernment]

@paraplegicfan These days it seems more like the police deserve to be blown away for terrorizing the people.

[Jessjolz]

Good job fuken loser

[Danrakich]

the guy who got shot was my uncle :o hes ok tho `:D

[paraplegicfan]

Shane Richard Sime got what he desserved. Shoot at the police, you deserve to be blown away.

good riddance