Man shot with spear gun in front of kids during Mongrel Mob attack
· RNZMongrel Mob gang members and an associate have been arrested after a man was shot with a spear gun in front of his young children.
In a statement, police said they received multiple calls to an incident on Coates Street in Hamilton about 11.30am on 23 November.
Police said a man was with his partner, getting his young children into his car when he was approached by two men he did not know in Mongrel Mob clothing.
"Words were exchanged" before the man was allegedly assaulted.
The man's partner was also allegedly assaulted during the ordeal.
One of the gang members associated left, before returning with a spear gun that one of the gang members used to allegedly shoot the man in the leg.
Detective Sergeant Matt Lee said the alleged offenders "didn't think twice about violently assaulting a man in front of his young children in broad daylight".
They all fled the scene and the man was taken to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition.
He has since had surgery to remove the spear and is stable, police said.
A number of search warrants have taken place in relation to the investigation, with some using the Armed Offenders Squad.
Police said gang regalia had been found and seized, and arrests have been made.
"We arrested two people in Hamilton yesterday and a man in Wellington overnight.
"A 28-year-old man is appearing in 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 is appearing 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."
The 34-year-old also faced charged of supplying Class A drugs in a separate matter.
A 24-year-old woman would also appear in Hamilton District Court for assault with intent to injure and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Police said further charges could not be ruled out.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.