Charges laid following Welcome Bay and Hamilton shootings

An investigation by Tauranga Police into the attempted murder of a man in Welcome Bay in July has resulted in the prosecution of three men.

It was approximately 9pm on Monday, 9 July, when shots were fired into a house on Meander Drive Welcome Bay. A 43-year-old man inside the house suffered shotgun pellet injuries to his head.

Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Turner said: "Enquiries over the last couple of months revealed that there had been a home invasion at the same Welcome Bay address on 17 May that had not been reported to us. We also discovered that there had been an unreported shooting in Hamilton on 31 May that was relevant to our investigation."

A 35-year-old unemployed Hamilton man appeared in the Tauranga District Court this morning. A second 35-year-old man from Hamilton will appear at Tauranga District Court on 3 October. A warrant to arrest has been issued for a third man, aged 44 from Tauranga. They all face a variety of charges including two counts of attempted murder, aggravated burglary and wounding to cause grievous bodily harm.

The two Hamilton men are also face a burglary charge.

The Tauranga man being sought faces a separate charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice and possession of LSD.

The District Court has suppressed the victim's details.

Anyone with information relevant to this investigation is asked to contact Tauranga Police on 07 577 4300. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

As the matter is now before the courts no further comment will be made by Police.

© Scoop Media