Police are searching for a suspect after a shooting outside a Palmerston North bar earlier this week.
The incident occurred on Rangitikei St on Tuesday.
"Police have identified a 31-year-old man who we believe is responsible for the shooting, and we are actively working to locate him.
"The victim in this incident is continuing to recover from their injuries and is being assisted by Victim Support."
The shooting followed an earlier incident at the same bar involving an axe.
"Two men have been charged in relation to an incident at the same location on July 27, when an axe was used to damage the front door of the bar," Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross said.
"The two men – both aged 18 – have been charged with intentional damage, possession of an offensive weapon, and disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence."
Spate of shootings
The latest shooting is unrelated to four other firearm incidents in Palmerston North recently, police said.
Those incidents "have all been evidentially-linked by police".
"On August 2 a firearm was discharged on Moheke Ave, and on August 3 a similar event occurred in Clyde Crescent," Ross said.
"On August 9 a police car was shot at while attempting to conduct a traffic stop on Tremaine Ave."
An 18-year-old Horowhenua woman was charged with using a firearm against law enforcement over the August 9 incident.
"On August 11 a police car was shot at in the suburb of Highbury," Ross continued.
"Three men were arrested and charged in relation to this incident, and three firearms were seized.
"Enquiries into these four incidents are ongoing and further charges will be laid."
Ross said police know the incidents are causing a "significant amount of concern".
"We want to reassure Palmerston North residents that this offending is confined to a small group of individuals who are known to each other, and police are working hard to ensure that all those involved are held to account."
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