The following is an outline of events that occurred on the firebreak along the summit of the eastern hills of Lower Hutt on Saturday 6 January 2007.

Image: Graeme Burton - Late yesterday afternoon, two men in their 30's were mountain biking along the fire break when they came across a man leaning over a quad bike. As they rode past him they saw a firearm. About 10 metres past the quad bike they saw a man wearing motorcross clothing lying on his back who was not moving. They then heard a blast and one mountain biker received a serious gunshot wound to his elbow. The other mountain biker received superficial gunshot injuries. Shortly after this they fell from their mountain bikes and ran off north along the firebreak towards Summit Road. They subsequently called for an ambulance.

A short time later, a father and daughter were also mountain biking along the firebreak when they came across the quad bike and the person lying on the ground just past it. In the process of calling for assistance on a cellphone, the father was punched in the face, his cellphone was ripped from his hand and thrown into bushes by a male. This male then threatened the father with a knife telling him to get the quad bike started and that he had a gun. The gun was then discharged and the daughter received shotgun pellets into her neck and wrist. They ran south from the scene.

The offender was last seen mountain biking north towards Summit Road. As the two first victims saw the man approaching them they dived off the firebreak into dense gorse.

Police were advised by ambulance staff about the shooting and that the two mountain bikers were heading towards Summit Road. Police arrived in Summit Road carrying glock pistols. Once out of the police car they were confronted by Burton who presented a shotgun at them. They retreated a short distance seeking cover. After reassessing their options, due to their concerns for the safety of others they approached Burton and called upon him to surrender. Police fired three shots, one of which hit Burton in the leg. He was then taken into custody and a loaded pistol was also located in his possession.

Police then searched the firebreak locating the two male mountain bikers, and later, the father and daughter. Police then located the quad bike and the deceased man.

Saturday night Police issued a statement (see below) requesting people to contact them if they held concerns for the safety of friends or family who may have been in the area. Police have not had any further reports from members of the public about missing friends or relatives.

Police extend their sympathies and offer their condolences to the deceased person's family. His details will be released once he has been formally identified.

The mountain biker with serious elbow injures was operated on last night and is still in hospital. These injures are not life threatening.

The two other mountain bikers who received gunshot injures, along with the father who was assaulted were all treated in hospital yesterday and have been discharged.

Graeme Burton is now in Police custody. He was located in bush near Lower Hutt after a victim of an assault alerted Police to his whereabouts.

Police had already issued three search warrants in the Lower Hutt area as intelligence led them closer to Burton. This enabled Police to act quickly when notified of his location. When located, Burton approached officers and presented a firearm. The officers shot Burton once in the leg, enabling his capture. The Police Complaints Authority is now working with the investigation team to investigate the events that took place leading up to the shooting of Mr Burton.

As a result of arriving in the area, Police located three people with gun related injuries, one of whom is unfortunately deceased. New Zealand Police extends its deepest sympathy to those who were involved in yesterday's shootings and victim support is in place.

New Zealand Police issued a statement last night (6 January) requesting people to contact them if friends or family had not returned from the eastern hills above Lower Hutt. New Zealand Police is pleased to report that at this stage it seems no other people are missing or injured.

Police investigations into the events that took place are continuing and anyone with further information should contact the Lower Hutt Police Station on 560 2600.

© Scoop Media