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A police officer is lucky to be alive after being shot this morning in Northland.
Stock photo.
Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
Police said around 4.13 a.m., a car pulled up in front of a police vehicle and stopped in the middle of State Highway 11 near the junction of Puketona with State Highway 10.
Before the officer could move, two men got out of the car carrying firearms, said Northland District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill.
He said a shot was fired that damaged the windshield, but that the officer was not injured.
They were able to quickly leave and call for reinforcements.
Superintendent Hill said it is a great relief that the officer was not injured.
“It is completely unacceptable for someone to shoot a police officer in this way and we are very lucky that they are not seriously injured or worse,” he said.
“We will do everything possible to locate these criminals and hold them accountable.”
Hill said people should remember that every day when the police go to work, they leave their families behind.
“They do this to keep our communities safe and the last thing they deserve is to be shot.”
The police are now trying to track down the criminals and anyone with information is being asked to come forward.
