Armed police are continuing to search for an attacker in the Invercargill suburb of Otatara after an apparent shooting left a woman critically injured tonight.
A file image of the Four Square in Otatara, Invercargill (Google Street View) Photo: Google Street View
Police said they were told about reports a person had been shot near a Four Square in the suburb of Otatara, about 6.30pm.
A police spokesperson confirmed a woman had been injured by a firearm, and said she was in a critical condition.
They did not give further details of the woman's injuries.
The injured person had been taken to hospital, the spokesperson said.
Police asked people to avoid the area around Dunns Road and said nearby residents should ensure their properties were secure.
The Armed Offenders Squad was searching the area and police were working to find out what had happened, they said.
A staff member at a nearby cafe said residents in the area had been told to stay inside and lock their doors.
She said they were feeling nervous and anxious after hearing about the possibility someone had been shot.
The local school's website describes Otatara as a semi-rural area with a population of 3000 residents, about 5km west of Invercargill.
The local school's website describes Otatara as a semi-rural area with a population of 3000 residents. Photo: Google Earth
