• Police are searching for a man who pointed a gun at officers in Palmerston North. 
• He is also believed to have aimed a firearm at a member of the public. 
• Police have set up cordons and are urging anyone with information to contact them. 

Police are on the hunt for a man who pointed a gun at officers who were trying to arrest him in Palmerston North last night. 

He is also believed to have pointed a firearm at a member of the public, police said. 

Officers spotted the man walking in Highbury about 8.30pm, and approached him as they believed there was a warrant for his arrest. 

“Police stopped nearby, and approached the man who had since walked to a nearby address on Brentwood Ave. He was confirmed to have a warrant for his arrest. However, after police attempted to take him into custody, he became agitated, presenting a firearm at the officer before fleeing the scene,” a police spokesperson said in a statement. 

“He is also believed to have been involved in an earlier reported firearms incident, where a gun was allegedly pointed towards a member of the public while walking on Featherston St.” 

Police put cordons in place around the area, and responded with armed officers as a precaution. However, the man was not located. Police are now working to locate him. 

“We will not accept violence or attempted violence against our officers, or anyone in the community. We are out there every day working to keep our communities safe in what is increasingly a hostile environment,” the spokesperson said. 

“We are providing support to the officer involved in this incident – while they were fortunately not physically harmed, the impact on this officer cannot be underestimated. 

“If you saw the incident, or know the person involved, and have not yet reported information to us, please contact police on 105 either online or over the phone and reference file number: 250212/1858.″