Man arrested after allegedly firing weapon near Wellington Hospital

A man who allegedly fired a weapon during a fight near Wellington Hospital Wednesday has been arrested.

The 22-year-old was located at an address in Hawera and arrested without incident about midday Friday, police said.

The suspect will be charged with discharging a firearm with intent to intimidate and will appear in New Plymouth District Court tomorrow.

Searches of three Hawera addresses are underway, and a shotgun believed to have been used has been located, police said.

Another man was arrested this week over the incident, and was taken into custody for allegedly threatening the other person involved with a machete.

Police earlier said the altercation began shortly after 5pm on Wednesday outside a motor lodge across the street from the hospital when a person was threatened with a machete by a person driving a white Ford Ranger.

The threatened person then grabbed a firearm and along with another person, jumped into a grey Mitsubishi Colt and drove into the hospital car park, opposite the emergency department’s entrance.

The firearm was then discharged during a confrontation, police said.

There was no risk to patients or staff during the incident, Te Whatu Ora said.

Enquiries will continue in order to identify and speak with others involved in the incident, including the man in the Mitsubishi Colt at the time of the shooting, police said.