Police are appealing for information as tensions between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power continue to escalate into violence.
On Saturday, police were called to McClutchie Road, Ruatoria after shots were fired in what's believed to have been a clash between people linked to the rival gangs.
A vehicle left the scene of the shooting at high speed before crashing on Waiomatatini Road. The occupants fled the accident before another person arrived and removed firearms from the crashed vehicle. Police are trying to identify those involved.
Then on Sunday as many as 30 to 40 Black Power and Mongrel Mob members were involved in a fight on Gloucester Street in Taradale, Napier.
According to police, a 25-year-old man was shot by a shotgun in his head, face and torso. He remains in a serious but stable condition at Hawke's Bay Hospital.
One of the pellets was later found to have struck the rear of a child's car seat.
"Fortunately the child was unharmed, but this behaviour is completely unacceptable and we are determined to hold those responsible to account," says Detective Inspector Rob Jones.
"Tensions between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power have continued to escalate in recent months with police investigating a number of serious incidents and outbreaks of violence in public places - many of which have been witnessed by members of the public.
"Police urge anyone who may have information about either of these incidents to come forward. We would also like to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist these investigations."
Information can be provided by calling 105 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
