Update: Fatal shooting near Tokoroa

Latest:

The motive behind the fatal shooting of a man on a roadside at Kinleith is unknown.

Police launched a homicide investigation after a man was shot and killed at 3.15pm today in the Kinleith Forest area, near Tokoroa.

The shooting happened on Tram Rd, a short stretch of rural road in the Kinleith Forest area which bridges the Waikato River.

 Police confirmed this afternoon a man was fatally shot on the roadside and died at the scene.

It has been reported the shooting victim was a roadworker holding a stop sign on traffic duty at the  Tirohanga Bridge.

The Rotorua Daily Post was unable to confirm this tonight.

Police said: ``We will not be issuing any further detail about the man who has died until we have advised  his family.''

No arrests have been made and police could not confirm whether the incident was a random act or targeted.

Detective Inspector Mark Loper said it was too early to confirm the motive behind the shooting and their  investigation was in its early stages.

``The motive for the shooting is not yet clear and speculation before we know the facts will not be helpful,'' he said.

``Our priority at this stage is identifying the man and notifying and supporting his family. Background information from the family will be vital to the investigation going forward.''

When the Rotorua Daily Post visited the scene about 4.30pm, a section of Tram Rd had been closed and a  couple of truck drivers were stopping to talk with police about a detour.

One truckload of young men who lived down the road were told they could not enter be cause ``something bad'' had happened.

Police said the section of road, connecting Tirohanga and Ongaroto roads, wasn't to be opened until late yesterday or early today.

One local farmer said he heard a helicopter in the area about 4pm.

From the top of a hill overlooking Tram Rd and the Waikato River, a logging truck could be seen parked near the middle of the cordoned-off road.

At least one police car and a police officer could be seen near the logging truck.

The logging truck had the letters RFH on the side.

A Rotorua Forestry Haulage spokesman said the company had been asked by police to leave the truck within the cordon.

He said the driver was not involved.

The Rotorua-based BayTrust Rescue Helicopter was called to the scene to help the ambulance.

A police spokeswoman said today police were not able to confirm some media reports that police were looking for a blue Jeep Cherokee in relation to the shooting.

The man, who was reportedly a long-serving employee in his 60s, worked for national company HEB Construction, and earlier had been working with a crew on a new State Highway 1 bridge at nearby Atiamuri. That bridge opened this week.

HEB chief executive Derrick Adams told Radio New Zealand yesterday that staff were "absolutely devastated''.

The company's director Bruce Pulman said staff were trying to find out more details.

"We're not fully up-to-date, police had the place in lockdown. I believe he was one of the stop-go boys.''

Police said there was no need for locals to panic.

A spokeswoman said: "We can reassure the public that police are working hard to resolve this incident at the earliest opportunity.''

Anyone with information about the shooting should contact Taupo police on (07) 378 6060. Information can  be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Earlier story:

A man has been shot and killed in a forestry area at Kinleith area, near Tokoroa.

Police have launched a homicide enquiry following the incident.

The shooting happened about 3.20pm on Tram Rd, which is a short stretch of rural road in the Kinleith Forest area.

Police this afternoon confirmed  that a man was fatally shot on the roadside and died at the scene.

The scene is currently under police guard and will be subject to a detailed examination.

Detective Inspector Mark Loper said it was extremely early in the investigation.

"The motive for the shooting is not yet clear and speculation before we know the facts will not be helpful," he said.

"Our priority at this stage is identifying the man and notifying and supporting his family. Background information from the family will be vital to the investigation going forward."

Rotorua Daily Post reporter Gary Hamilton-Irvine, who is near the scene, said he spoke with a local farmer who

heard a helicopter in the area about 4pm.

The roads in the area are blocked, with police manning a roadblock on the corner of Tram and Tirohanga Rds.

Vehicles were being turned away with police staff saying the road was likely to be blocked for a couple of hours.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to contact Taupo Police on (07) 378 6060. Alternatively information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

 

Earlier story:

Emergency services from Rotorua and Taupo are on their way to a serious incident in the Kinleith area, near Tokoroa.

A spokesman from St John Ambulance refused to comment on what has happened and has referred enquiries to police.

Police communication manager Kim Perks said there had been reports of a shooting in the area.

She could not confirm what injuries the victim has suffered.