Police say officers are searching for a person who opened fire at a vehicle near Wellington Hospital on Wedneday evening.
Gunshots erupted after two people became involved in an altercation, Det Snr Sgt Tim Leitch said. A person pulled out a gun after being threatened with a machete.
The shots were fired towards a Ford Ranger, stopped near the main hospital entrance, just after 5:15pm.
"At 5:07pm yesterday evening, an altercation outside a motor lodge opposite the entrance of the hospital on Riddiford St took place where a person was threatened with a machete by the driver of a white Ford Ranger," Leitch said on Thursday. "The person [who was] threatened retrieved a firearm from nearby and along with an associate got into a grey Mitsubishi Colt driving into the hospital carpark opposite the emergency department entrance.
"A further confrontation occurred between the occupants of the two vehicles before a firearm was discharged towards the Ford Ranger."
Leitch stressed there was no immediate risk to the wider public and said those involved appeared to be known to each other.
"Both vehicles and their occupants immediately left the area," he said.
"The incident occurred in a very busy public place and a number of witnesses including hospital visitors and taxis were close by at the time.
"Anyone with information, including photos or videos, can call 105 or make a report online via 105.police.govt.nz."
A scene guard would remain in place outside the motor lodge and there would be an increased presence of officers "to provide reassurance to the community", he said.
