BREAKING NEWS: Gunman on the loose in New Zealand after shots were fired outside a shopping centre
- Police called to Milson Line at Milson, Palmerston North, at 10.50am on Friday
- They received reports of a gunshots near the shopping centre in the suburb
- Schools in the area were placed into lockdown including Freyberg High School
- Principal Peter Brooks said he had been messaged an alert to his phone
Schools have been placed into lockdown following reports of gunshots outside a New Zealand shopping centre.
Police were called to the scene following reports a firearm had been discharged on Milson Line at Milson, in Palmerston North, at 10.50am on Friday.
The shots are understood to have been fired near the local shopping centre which is located near numerous schools in the area.
Police were called to the scene following reports a firearm had been discharged on Milson Line at Milson, in Palmerston North, at 10.50am on Friday
Police received reports of gunshots on Milson Line (pictured) at Palmerston North on Friday morning
Freyberg High School was placed into lockdown for 15 minutes following the incident.
Principal Peter Brooks said he had received a text alert on his phone.
‘No one knows why we went into lockdown,’ he said. ‘But I saw the armed offenders squad off in the distance, across Skoglund park.’
Roslyn School, which teaches students up to Year 8, was also placed into lockdown.
The school posted on its Facebook page that it was not in imminent danger and that it was just taking a ‘precautionary measure’.
‘Please do not come to school to collect children they are all safe,’ the post read.
‘We will keep you updated as advised by the Police.’
The Armed Offenders Squad were dispatched and police have cordoned off Tweed, Ruahine and Featherston streets.
There have been no reports of injuries.
Freyberg High School was placed into lockdown for 15 minutes following the incident