Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Police kill wheelchair-using gunman in New Zealand after he injures two people

From WAToday.com in New Zealand:


New Zealand police have shot dead a wheelchair-bound gunman after he injured two people in a shooting spree in Christchurch.

Shayne Sime, 42, was shot and killed late June 28, after he fired more than 100 shots indiscriminately from a shotgun and rifle in his quiet suburban street, police said.

The man was believed to have been drinking earlier on Sunday and had contacted family to say he was feeling suicidal, they said.

Detective Superintendent Brett Kane told reporters a 39-year-old man who lived in the same street as Sime was injured by shotgun pellets during the incident.

A police officer received a head wound from shotgun pellets but was wearing a helmet which prevented any serious injury, Kane said.

Both of the injured were treated and released from hospital on Monday morning.

About 25 people from neighbouring houses in the suburb of Burnside had to stay overnight in a nearby school, after being evacuated from their homes during the shooting, Kane said.

Police arrived at about 8.30 pm on Sunday after neighbours reported shots being fired.

Two hours later the policeman was injured and police returned fire, killing Sime inside his house.