Two men have been charged with murder following a fatal drive-by shooting in Wairarapa on Saturday.
The incident occurred around 4 p.m. when shots were fired at a vehicle leaving the FreshChoice Featherston car park. Witnesses described taking cover behind cars as gunfire erupted.
Shortly after, a man suffering from a gunshot wound was found near Carterton New World. Despite efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries, prompting a homicide investigation.
According to Detective Inspector John van den Heuvel, a second vehicle fled the Featherston scene but was intercepted without incident by police at Kaitoke on Remutaka Hill.
The suspects, aged 23 and 25, are scheduled to appear in Wellington District Court on Monday. Authorities are considering additional charges as the investigation progresses.
“Our focus remains on identifying any other individuals involved,” van den Heuvel said. “However, we believe this was a targeted incident between known parties, with no ongoing threat to the public.”
He also acknowledged the community’s support and reassured residents that police presence in Wairarapa would remain heightened as inquiries continue.
Carterton New World, which was temporarily closed following the shooting, reopened on Sunday morning. The crime scene examination in Featherston was expected to conclude Monday, while sites in Kaitoke and Carterton had already been cleared.
A post-mortem examination of the victim is scheduled for Monday in Wellington. Meanwhile, 1News captured footage of police inspecting apparent bullet holes in a bakery sign near the scene of the shooting.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward as the homicide investigation remains ongoing.
