One person has been taken into custody after a physical altercation involving several rival gang members outside Palmerston North District Court this morning, leaving one person critically injured.
Acting Manawatū Area Commander Inspector Phil Ward said police were called to the public entrance of the courthouse at around 10am following reports of the altercation.
"One person was seriously injured, however enquiries are underway to determine whether those injuries are as a result of this incident," Ward said.
No other injuries have been reported. An investigation has been launched, and police say further arrests have not been ruled out.
Images sent to 1News showed emergency services, including around eight police cars and ambulances, parked outside the court building.
A St John spokesperson said crews were notified of an incident on Main St just after 10am.
"We responded with one ambulance and one rapid response vehicle," a spokesperson said.
One patient was assessed and was transported to Palmerston North Hospital in a critical condition.
A bystander, Samuel Sijm said he witnessed at least one person that had been injured being put into an ambulance.
He added: "The offenders left in vehicles at speed."
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