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Ricky Wilson / Stuff
Additional police officers were deployed in Ōtara after the November shootings.
When shots were heard in Ōtara last weekend, some people crouched for cover: they posted warnings on social media, called the police and took refuge in their homes.
And given the recent spate of gang-related shootings that have rocked Auckland’s southern suburb, it’s for good reason they might be scared.
But while what they heard was actually gunshots, the shots were part of the production of the Netflix series. Cowboy bebop, who has been filming in a warehouse in East Tamaki.
The producers had notified the police about the planned filming, including shooting and explosions, in an industrial area of detara, but the news did not reach everyone in the community.
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As a result, police received “a handful of reports” from the wider Ōtara area, where residents heard the sounds of gunfire, a police spokesman said.
The call center operators relayed the information about the filming to the concerned people.
But in some cases, police went to the area to speak with residents and provide reassurance, the spokesman said.
It is unknown if there will be more days of shooting with shots and explosions in the future.
Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images
The upcoming Netflix show, Cowboy Bebop, starring actor John Chohas, is filming in East Tamaki.
Between Friday 20 and Sunday 22 November, there were five shooting incidents in Otara when Killer Beez and Tribesmen staged public displays of intimidation against each other.
Houses were shot and cars destroyed, while police intensified their presence in the neighborhood.
No one was injured in the incidents, but the violence had a great effect on the community.
Parents and their children slept on the floor at night, children did not go to school, and there was constant speculation on social media about what was happening.
Joining together, the community put together a number of initiatives in response, including community events and a hikoi in opposition to gun violence.
Finally, a group of community leaders met with high-ranking gang members to organize a truce on violence in public areas.
Stuff
An armed officer on the corner of Ōtara and Bairds roads in south Auckland after a series of shootings last month.
Since then, two men have been arrested on firearms charges in South Auckland. One for allegedly being found in possession of actual shotgun shells.
The other was allegedly found in possession of an AK-47, a Soviet-era semi-automatic SKS rifle, and a semi-automatic M4.
He was charged with reckless negligence for the safety of others, illegal possession of prohibited weapons, ammunition and explosives.
Netflix has been contacted for comment.
