[ad_1]
Stuff
Police were called into a firearms incident on Oropi Rd early Sunday morning. (File photo)
A man faces charges after a two-hour gun battle with police in a rural district in the Bay of Plenty.
A 51-year-old man was arrested in the early hours of Sunday morning after he fired a gun and the bullet hit a vehicle in Oropi, before 1 a.m.
Police said they had a report of a firearms incident on Mountain Road, Oropi, around 12 a.m.
Upon arrival they found a seriously injured person.
The Armed Criminal Squad was dispatched as a precautionary measure and the Eagle police helicopter flew in from Auckland to assist local personnel.
Police said that shortly before 1 am, a firearm was fired again near Seales Road, striking a civilian vehicle.
No one was injured.
One person was located at an address in Oropi and, after negotiating with the police, was arrested around 3.30am.
The man has been charged with recklessly firing a firearm and is due to appear in Tauranga District Court on Monday.
A scene guard remains in place and a scene examination will be conducted today.
