Two Mongrel Mob members and an associate have been arrested after an “unprovoked” assault of a man in front of his children where he was shot through the leg with a speargun. 

Police are calling the incident in Hamilton “abhorrent” and said the offenders now face a swathe of charges. 

Detective Sergeant Matt Lee said the man was putting his children in the car on Coates St last Saturday at 11.30am when he was approached by the patched gang members. 

Lee said “words were exchanged” before the two men started assaulting the victim. Multiple witnesses called emergency services for help while the victim’s partner attempted to protect him. 

One of the associates left and returned with a speargun, giving it to the gang member who then shot the victim through the leg with it. 

“The victim was taken to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition and undergone surgery to have the spear removed,” Lee said. 

“Thankfully he is now in a stable condition.” 

Police said the attack was violent and unprovoked. 

Lee said a “number of” search warrants were carried out with the Armed Offenders Squad present where gang regalia and a firearm were seized. 

Two men were arrested in Hamilton yesterday and another was arrested in Wellington overnight. 

A 28-year-old man was due to appear in the Hamilton District Court today on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to injure, and displaying gang insignia in a public place. 

A 34-year-old man was due to appear in Wellington District Court today on wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to injure and displaying gang insignia in a public place. 

He also faces charges for supplying Class A drugs relating to a separate operation. 

A 24-year-old woman will appear in Hamilton District Court at a later date for assault with intent to injure and unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Lee said they are not ruling out further arrests. 

“Let these arrests be a clear message that police and the Waikato community will not tolerate this type of abhorrent behaviour.”