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The hunt is still on for others involved in the gunning down of a police officer in the South Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe.
And police say the quick rescue of the wounded constable by
colleagues saved his life.
The 28-year-old rookie officer lay heavily bleeding on the street
after being shot three times in the early morning darkness.
Police are already talking to two suspects but are looking for more.
ONE News cameras were at the scene as the young constable was carried into an ambulance. Ambulance staff staff can be seen cutting at his trousers to try to reach the gun wound before taking him to hospital.
Counties Manukau District Commander Mike Bush says the officer suffered severe bloodloss.
Just after 4am Tuesday, the constable had been part of a police patrol in Papatoetoe.
He and his partner saw a car with its hazard lights on up a driveway. Wondering if it had been tampered with, they got out to have a look.
"The officer was fired at from the darkness," says Bush.
A volley of gun shots hit the rookie constable on both his legs and elbow.
Armed back up arrived quickly, making a decision to rescue the officer and dragging him to safety.
Bush says staff risked their lives to go in and recover the policeman and surgeons believe if he had not received treatment as soon as he did, he may have died.
"Bravery of staff involved in this incident was outstanding. The right command decision was made. This was handled very professionally in an operational sense. All I can do is offer praise to those staff," says Bush.
The officer suffered one gunshot wound to the right leg which punctured his femoral artery causing him to lose a substantial amount of blood, one gunshot wound to the left leg and another to his elbow.
He is expected to make a full recovery.
From the air and ground, police, including the armed offenders squad, swarmed into the area.
In the daylight residents were telling ONE News about an eventful night on Buckingham Crescent.
"We woke up with the sound of bullets and the people shouting," says Zaim Mohammed, a witness.
The neighbourhood was locked down as police searched for the offender.
Witness Jennifer Firoz says police told residents to stay inside and away from the windows because there was a lot of firing.
Armed officers remained throughout the day as forensic teams combed the surrounding streets in what has been described as a complex incident. Specialist search teams and ESR scientists are working within four different scenes in Buckingham Crescent and Allenby Road, says Bush.
Three firearms have been found along with ammunition.
Police are talking to two men in relation to the incident.
It is understood there are a further two males outstanding, but police say these men are thought not to be in the area and do not pose a threat to the neighbourhood.
Police are urging members of the public who have information about the incident to call immediately on 09 2950200. Alternatively if they wish to remain anonymous they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
