“Officers stopped the vehicle from leaving, before the man presented a shotgun,” he said.
Police ordered the man to put the shotgun down, which he failed to do.
Loughrin said an officer then fired two shots at the man.
“Officers provided immediate medical assistance, and St John transported the man to hospital, where he remains in a moderate condition,” Loughrin said.
“His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.”
He said a second person in the vehicle was taken into custody at the scene.
Loughrin confirmed no police staff were injured.
Loughrin said Ulster St remains closed from the Mill St intersection, and traffic is being diverted down Richmond St.
“Members of the public are advised to avoid the area, as road closures are expected to remain in place for several hours,” Loughrin said.
“We want to reassure the community that there is no ongoing public safety risk.”
He said a critical incident investigationhas begun, and the shooting will also be referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), as is standard procedure.
Members of the public were earlier warned to avoid the area and expect delays.
A person at a motel directly across the street from where the shooting happened said a large police presence remains.
A spokesperson from Hamilton Settlers Motorlodge said the street was blocked off and the neighbourhood had gone very quiet.
They had received no news or direction from police at the scene on what had happened.
Police have blocked streets in central Hamilton this morning as they investigate an incident.
Another motelier a few doors down said they were first alerted by contractors who were working onsite to sounds of gunshots.
As soon as they were informed, they went outside to look but police were already there. They said the street was filled with people soon after.
They described the commotion as “crazy”.
A manager of a motel behind the cordon said he heard two gunshots about 9.45am, which he first thought were tyre sounds, before police arrived.
More than 20 police vehicles were at the cordon, he said.
The manager said he heard someone had been shot at shops near a motel.
Another motel worker told the Herald they heard gunshots between 9.30am and 10am.
A police spokesperson said there are cordons along Ulster and Abbotsford Sts in Whitiora.
A nearby resident also said he heard gunfire and police told him to stay home.
A resident, who did not want to be named, said Ulster St was home to a large amount of emergency housing. A motel on Abbotsford St was now taped off.
Some residents could be seen being escorted by police to their houses.
Hato Hone St John sent two rapid response vehicles and one ambulance.
A man was taken to hospital from outside the Ulster St superette in the Hamilton suburb of Whitiora. Photo / Facebook