Two men were shot, one fatally, at a Lower Hutt property early on Saturday morning during a birthday party police confirmed today.
Detective Inspector Haley Ryan said that both men were attending a birthday celebration at a George St address and that local gang members were present.
“Investigators are continuing their work piecing together the events that led to this tragic incident and identify those responsible.”
Emergency services were called to the Stokes Valley address shortly after 2am on Saturday.
A homicide investigation is underway after officers were called to the George St address shortly after 2am. (Source: 1News)
"Upon arriving at the address, officers located one man, who sadly died at the scene, and a second injured man a short distance away."
The injured man underwent surgery yesterday and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Local resident Daniel Kean said the event was "bloody terrifying" and "nerve shattering".
"A lot of people here are old people, a lot of people here have kids," he said.
Kean told 1News that he knew most of the people in the house and that he'd had them over.
"They seem to stick to themselves; they don't cause any trouble."
Another resident said that there had been a party involving local gang members. They said there had been burnouts and fighting involving around 20 patched members about 1.30am.
Hutt City councillor Naomi Shaw said that it was unusual activity for a quiet street and that a lot of people in Stokes Valley were shocked by the news.
"I want everyone to keep calm and let the police do their work and be supportive of anybody involved."
Anyone with information or CCTV within the Stokes Valley area and Eastern Hutt Rd is urged to contact police on 105 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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