Two people have died after a shooting in Nelson.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith said the incident had left many people traumatised.
“The alarm was raised when a shotgun was stolen from Hunting & Fishing in Quarantine Rd and then the offender has gone on to Parkers Rd where the tragedy occured”.
Police said just before noon on Friday they received information about the theft of a shotgun from a store in the suburb of Annesbrook. The offender then left the area in a vehicle before officers arrived at the scene.
A short time later, police were alerted to a firearms incident on Parkers Road.
When officers arrived, they found a man and a woman, both dead.
Initial enquiries suggested the two people who died knew each other, police said.
Acting Tasman District Commander Superintendent Blair Macdonald said this was an isolated incident and there was no ongoing threat to public safety.
However, people were asked avoid the area, and cordons were in place.
Smith said police told him no-one further was being sought in connection to the events.
“Nelson prides itself of being a safe city and this tragedy impacts on us all. Our hearts go out to all those affected and particularly the families of the deceased,” Smith said.
“My thanks to Police and St John for their professional response, keeping others safe and care for those directly impacted.”
Nelson MP Rachel Boyack said “this is an extremely sad day for our community”.
One ambulance and one operations manager had responded to the incident, a Hato Hone St John spokesperson said.
The Transport Agency said State Highway 6 – Tahunanui Drive, between Parkers Road and Green Street, had been closed by police, but was reopened on Friday afternoon.