As put by Detective Inspector Martin James, Eastern District Crime Manager:
Hawke’s Bay Police have made two arrests in relation to a shooting last weekend on Willowpark Road, Hastings.
Around 3:30pm on Saturday 6 April, shots were fired at a van transporting a group of Raupunga rugby players home from a game.
Following multiple search warrants executed this week several vehicles involved in the incident have also since been seized.
Those arrested face charges of reckless driving and unlawful assembly, appearing in Hastings District Court yesterday.
They are expected to reappear in the coming weeks.
This was a targeted incident near the end of a rugby game where a group of people chose to resort to violence.
“We have rugby fans spread throughout our community and the expectation is that people who attend games do so for the right reasons, not to agitate and commit offences,” says Detective Inspector Martin James.
“Police will come down hard on any retaliation connected to last weekend’s incident.
“Let’s get on with our local sport in the Bay. It’s about supporting the players and respecting one another,” says Detective Inspector James.
Enquires are continuing to locate others involved in the incident and further arrests are imminent.
