Bar owner wants to ban gang patches after drive-by shooting

A Napier bar owner says a shooting that left one of his employees injured is the product of the worst gang tensions he’s ever seen.

Police are investigating after they were shot at from a vehicle on their way to The Thirsty Whale bar on West Quay at 12:20 a.m. M.

A man standing outside the bar sustained a hand injury and a member of the bar staff was injured in the groin.

Both received medical treatment for moderate to severe injuries, and one remains in the hospital in stable condition, said Hawke’s Bay District Commander Superintendent Jeanette Park.

He said the incident is believed to have been due to an earlier altercation between rival gangs that were in the West Quay area of ​​Ahuriri overnight.

“The actions of those responsible for the events that occurred overnight at West Quay will be the focus of an extensive ongoing police investigation.

“Examining the scene and reviewing important CCTV footage is a current focus for the investigation team.”

The bar’s owner, Chris Sullivan, witnessed his doorman get shot and said shortly after a gang-related fight broke out on the road.

He said that in 40 years, he had never seen such a serious shooting and wanted to ban the patches in public.

Sullivan said his injured employee had surgery this morning and remains stable in the hospital.

Hawke’s Bay Police Temporarily Armed

Park said police have increased their presence in the community and have been authorized to temporarily transport firearms for staff in Hawke’s Bay, a decision that would be reviewed daily.

“As part of the ongoing investigation, the police will make every effort to speak with community partners to restore calm to the community.”

Park said several incidents involving the discharge of firearms had been reported at various locations in Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa, particularly in recent weeks.

He said multiple search warrants were executed throughout the Eastern District resulting in multiple arrests and the recovery of firearms and ammunition.

“Illegal firing of firearms is never acceptable, much less in a public place that risks the lives of hospitality workers and the public.”

Police are interested in any sightings of the vehicle or people involved in the incident and ask if anyone has information or video footage of the incident, could you please contact 105 or Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111?