Arrest made following Rotorua incident
Rotorua Police have arrested and charged a 21-year-old man in relation to an incident in November last year where a child was struck in the face by gel gun pellets.
On 1 November 2023, a woman reported that
her 11-year-old son had been injured after being hit by
pellets fired by a man in a passing car on Pererika
Street.
The woman and her son had been taking part
in a rubbish pick-up organised by the
Scouts.
“Fortunately the injuries suffered by
the young boy were not serious, but it was a distressing
incident for him and his mum, and for the other children who
were nearby at the time,” says Detective Sergeant Richard
Lang.The man has also been charged in relation to similar
offending against two other people on 31
October.
“I’m pleased for all concerned that
we have been able to hold someone to account for this
senseless behaviour,” says Detective Sergeant Lang. The
21-year-old man is facing three charges of discharging a
firearm in or near a place/dwelling, and one charge of
behaving threateningly. He is scheduled to appear in Rotorua
District Court on 24
January.