Police hunting second suspect in Stokes Valley shooting
Photo:
RNZ / REECE BAKER
Hutt Valley Police are still searching for a second person they believe was involved in a shooting in Stokes Valley.
A 40-year-old Stokes Valley man was
shot outside his home
in Hanson Grove at 9am on 3 August.
He remains in a critical condition in Wellington Hospital's intensive care unit.
"The investigation team has been assisted greatly by the Lower Hutt community, who have provided a number of CCTV images of the vehicle suspected to have been involved in this incident, travelling to and from Stokes Valley around the time of the shooting," Detective Inspector Haley Ryan said.
Police believe two men drove to the victim's address in a purple Toyota Mark X station wagon with the registration KMW290.
"On their arrival the male passenger exited the vehicle, and moments later shot the victim," Ryan said.
"It is also alleged the victim was then driven over by the Toyota vehicle before the vehicle was driven out of the Stokes Valley area. The vehicle was located by police a short time later and is currently being forensically examined."
The passenger of the vehicle, a 25-year-old Taita man, was arrested and charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm earlier this month. He was due to reappear in the Lower Hutt District Court on Thursday.
"Police are making excellent progress on enquiries to identify and locate the second man in the vehicle - I am very confident we will identify him and hold him to account for his role in this incident," Ryan said.
"To help us do that, we are still seeking CCTV or dashcam footage from members of the Lower Hutt community - specifically anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage of the Toyota Mark X station wagon in the Stokes Valley, Naenae or Taita areas between 8.30am and 9.30am on Sunday, 3 August."
Ryan said CCTV footage that captured the Toyota Mark X station wagon and its occupants would be a crucial part of ensuring those responsible for critically injuring the victim were held accountable.
If you have information, contact police via 105 and quote file number 250803/0624. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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