‘Blood-curdling screams, gunshots’: Resident describes terrifying daylight attack in Auckland suburb

Police armed with rifles were patrolling a suburban street in New Zealand after neighbours heard gunshots and blood-curdling screams.

Frightened residents were hiding in their homes in the Auckland suburb Glen Eden following an attack there, with one terrified woman describing hearing “blood-curdling screams and gunshots” ringing out outside her home.

At least six police cars and armed officers descended on an address on Virgo Place in the suburb, while an Eagle helicopter also circled the area.

The NZ Herald reported a resident on nearby Hydra Place called police during the incident.

“I was on the phone to the police and I could see cars reversing back and people were running and carrying on and I said, ‘I think someone’s being run over,’ and then while I was on the phone to police we heard gunshots,” the woman, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald.

Armed police officers at the scene in Glen Eden. Picture: Alex Burton

“I just about crapped myself and went screaming into the kitchen. I was really scared.

“Then we saw these big burly guys pick up this guy off the ground, carry him up the road covered in blood on his arms and legs, threw him in the back of the car and they took off.

“We found out from the guy where it happened – right outside his house – that the guy had been slashed with a machete.”

She was unsure if he had been shot or whether a gun had been fired and not hit anyone.

The police had since arrived and she was inside the cordon.

At least six police cars and armed officers have descended on an address on Virgo Place in the suburb, while an Eagle helicopter is also circling the area. Picture: Alex Burton

This follows several social media reports from residents about an incident in the area.

Two armed police officers were blocking residents from entering the street, with other officers – some wearing gloves and face masks – patrolling the area.

A police officer told a resident trying to enter the street that there was “nothing to worry about” however the street would remain in “lockdown” for a few more hours.

A policeman told a woman trying to enter the street that the “whole area was locked down”. Picture: Alex Burton

Another nearby resident asked police if someone was on the run, to which an officer replied: “you‘re safe”.

Police confirmed to NZME there was an active police operation in the suburb.

A number of people believed to be linked to the incident are assisting police with inquiries. It is understood they are known to the victim.

This story originally appeared on the NZ Herald and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘Blood-curdling screams, gunshots’: Resident describes terrifying daylight attack in Auckland suburb