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Liquor Store shooting - Source: ONE News -
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Nerves are on edge in Palmerston North after a drive-by shooting locals fear could be the first shots in a gang war.
Police are hunting the gunman who fired a double-barrelled shotgun outside a city bottle-store on Monday night and are appealing for witnesses who saw a car speed shortly afterwards.
The incident happened about 7.20pm when a local man pulled into The Mill liquor store on Grey Street in his four wheel drive vehicle, Central Districts police communications manager Kim Perks says.
The driver was standing just outside the store when two shots were apparently fired at him from another car.
No one was hurt but the waddings from two shotgun shells were found near the store's entrance and pellet holes were found in the store's sign, Perks says.
The man from the 4WD has refused to make any complaint or provide a police statement, which makes locals fear gangs are behind the shooting.
Six years ago Palmerston North was a city under seige by warring Mongrel Mob and Black Power gangs, a fight which culminated in the murder of a 16-year-old gang prospect.
Police won't confirm a gang link but say they want the shooter off the street.
Perks says information from other witnesses at the scene suggested the shots were fired from the passenger window of a dark stationwagon that pulled into the kerb.
The car, with at least two people inside, drove off immediately after the shots were fired, turning left into Carroll Street towards Featherston Street.
Detective Sergeant Simon Harrison says it was clear those involved in the incident knew what was behind it.
"It is important for people with information to put public safety before loyalty and speak to us. Information can be provided to us confidentially via our Crimeline and will be treated in the strictest of confidence," he says.
"We have concerns for the public of Palmerston North and we want to ensure that whoever committed this crime is held accountable for it," he says.
Police were particularly interested in speaking with the owner of a white utility vehicle, possibly with a company logo on the side, that was parked in The Mill car park.
They also want to speak with any other visitors to The Mill or the nearby United Video store, and anyone in or around Grey Street or Carroll Street who saw the stationwagon, probably driving at speed.
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