
A person shot on Auckland’s Queen Street last night has died and police have launched a homicide investigation.
Police earlier revealed up to four shots were fired during the overnight shooting in downtown Auckland.
One person was shot in the head and another in the abdomen during an altercation on Queen St just before midnight. One of those people has now died, police said on Friday night.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton said the man "was taken off life support and sadly succumbed to his injuries with family beside him."
"This is a tragic outcome for all concerned, and our focus remains on locating the person responsible.
"The formal process around a post-mortem and formal identification will take place, and Police will look to release further information about the man once we are in a position to do so."
A second man hospitalised with a gunshot injury remains in a stable condition at Auckland City Hospital, police said.
Speaking to media in Auckland earlier today, Bolton said police are continuing to investigate and are following positive lines of inquiry involving CCTV.
"A small group of people were witnessed fighting before one offender pulled out a firearm and fired several shots," Bolton said.
Bolton said police believe it’s an isolated incident and there is no risk to the public.
"We’re asking anyone with information to please come forward and speak to us."
Bolton would not comment on whether the incident was gang-related and or the exact number of people involved, but confirmed police could be looking for more than one person. The gunman was witnessed fleeing the scene on a Lime Scooter, wearing distinctive red and black pants and a red hat.
Bolton said CCTV is helping with lines of inquiry into the investigation.
The offender was on a Lime scooter before and after the incident.
"What I can say at this stage, was two groups were unknown to each other and the rest of it just forming part of our investigation."
Bolton described during the incident there were "words exchanged" which led the person to get off the scooter and approach.
"I’m very concerned about the victims who were going about their own business, they weren’t looking for trouble," Bolton said.
A Lime Scooter spokesperson said they were assisting police with enquiries.
Footage from the scene showed armed police surrounding a person on the ground. Photos of the scene also show multiple scooters lying on their sides.
A witness told the Herald he heard multiple gunshots and people yelling before looking out of the window to see a man lying on the ground and another being tended to by police.
Another witness told TVNZ’s Breakfast they heard screaming and several loud bangs. When they looked out the window they saw a group of young people looking "panicked", with a person lying still on the ground.
Police closed off a section of Auckland’s lower Queen St following the shooting, before reopening it at 7am.
"We believe that this was an isolated incident and there is no ongoing risk to the community," Bolton said.
"Police have zero tolerance for violence in public places, especially where firearms are used, and are working to hold the offenders to account."
Police were following "positive lines of enquiry" and anyone with information was asked to come forward.
Police have completed a scene examination and are now looking for all those involved.