27 Feb 2017

Two officers injured in New Caledonia shooting

2:14 pm on 27 February 2017

Two police officers were injured after a shooting in New Caledonia at the weekend.

Noumea municipal police facade

Noumea municipal police facade Photo: RNZ

The incident happened on Saturday night at Paita about 30 kilometres north of the capital Noumea.

The officers had intervened following reports of stones being thrown at motorists.

One of the gendarmes was injured in the shoulder, the other in the heel.

Traffic had to be diverted during the night.

In a statement, High Commissioner Thierry Lataste said he strongly condemned the act and an investigation was underway.

Since October there have periodically been assaults on motorists and officers near St Louis south of Noumea following the shooting death of a prison escapee in the area.

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