Dr Rudi shooting: broken glass, customers take refuge in Viaduct bar

A witness says the glass collapsed and bettors took cover when a fight broke out and a gun was fired in an Auckland bar in the early hours of Sunday.

Police have said they were extremely fortunate that no one was injured in the 2.45 a.m. fight at Dr. Rudi in the city’s Viaduct Harbor restaurant district.

About 10 to 15 people were inside Dr. Rudi’s entrance, a witness told Stuff.

“Then we heard a series of shots that sounded like gunshots coming from the entrance.”

The witness told the news outlet that some people stood nonchalantly, but others hid, some hiding under tables.

“Then we heard the sound of glass falling on the escalators.”

Dr. Rudi was open for clients on Sunday afternoon.

The bar’s marketing director, Kylie Moncur, said she was thankful that no one was hurt.

“All clients and team members are safe, however we are unable to provide further comment while the investigation is in the hands of the New Zealand Police Service.”

Police district operations manager Rachel Dolheguy said the shooting was believed to be gang-related.

“Several firearm incidents have recently involved elements of organized criminal groups and gangs, and at this initial stage it is believed that there is some gang involvement in this particular incident.”

Detective Sergeant Major Mark Franich said police were committed to finding the person responsible and holding him accountable.

“A group of people who had been taken from the bar became agitated and one presented a firearm.”

After an altercation, a gun was fired at the ceiling of the lobby.

The Weekend Herald reported that more than 350 people in five years have suffered firearm injuries across Auckland.

At least 63 people were shot and hospitalized in the first 10 months of this year.

The shooting at Dr. Rudi happened just fifteen days after clients reported a shooting at Auckland’s strip club Calendar Girls.