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One person is dead and one is critically injured after a serious incident in Lower Hutt overnight.
Police have opened a homicide probe investigating the serious incident, after shots were heard in the area.
Detective Inspector Haley Ryan said emergency services were called to a George Street house shortly after 2am.
One person was found dead at the scene, while a second person was found a short distance away,
The injured person has undergone surgery for life-threatening injuries.
Ryan said a scene examination is being carried out to determine what has occurred, and there will be a heightened police presence in the area.
"Investigators are working to piece together the events that led to this tragic event, and have been speaking with residents in the street and carrying out a scene examination of the property.
"Police would like to work with the community and urge anyone with information that could assist our enquiries to contact us, we are also requesting any persons with CCTV within any area within Stokes Valley and on the Eastern Hutt Road to contact us.
"We understand this event will be particularly distressing for members of the community, and Police will have an increased presence in the area over the coming days."