A police guard at the cordoned-off house in Seddon Street, Feilding. Photo: RNZ / Jimmy Ellingham
Police say the man who was fatally shot last night in Feilding was known to them, and officers had been to his house before.
Central District Police Commander Scott Fraser said he did not have the exact details of how recently, or how often, police had attended the property but confirmed the man was known to them.
Police were called to the house in Seddon Street shortly before 1pm on Sunday, after reports that a man had shot at a neighbour's window.
The man refused to leave his house when officers and the armed offenders squad arrived, Fraser said.
Appeals were made throughout the day to encourage the man to come out of the house.
The armed offenders squad was deployed as a precaution and the police negotiation team was also at the scene.
About 9pm, the man was shot by police after presenting a firearm at officers, and was critically injured, Fraser said.
Medical assistance was immediately provided but the the man died after being transported to hospital.
Fraser told Midday Report police officers did everything they could in an attempt to resolve the situation in a peaceful manner.
"In this case, a firearm was presented at police staff and the individual was shot."
A cordon had been put around the address as soon as police arrived, keeping the public safe, Fraser said.
A scene examination would be continuing at the home for the coming days and Fraser said people in the area could expect to see a larger police presence.
Police increase presence in Feilding after fatal shooting
Son makes appeal during standoff
Neighbours said the man caused trouble on the street, and they understood he was shooting at his neighbour's house as he believed they had called dog control.
One said the man lived at the Seddon Street house with his son, who police got to speak to him yesterday.
"Dad, please just come out," the man's son was heard saying.
Mark Bary who lives on the street said the man had also fired shots on Friday.
"He fired a couple of shots at a house next door, and then yesterday he started doing it again, and the people in the house rung the police."
Police told neighbours to stay inside their homes, he said.
"They had a negotiator, he was out there talking, trying to get him to come out and telling him everything will be okay if he comes out.
"I think [the man] kept firing at the house next door, and then I think towards them as well."
'Feeling scared'
Manawatū District Council mayor Helen Worboys said some in the area were feeling unsafe.
"This is another in several incidents we've had over the past few months and I know some of our vulnerable senior people in our community are concerned and feeling scared."
Often the incidents were not connected to the community - car chases in particular involved people from outside the area - but it added to the concern about police no longer being based in the town, she said.
"It's all been centralised coming out of Palmerston North so that raises concerns and also the vulnerability people feel."
"Yet again, a sad reflection on how society is going" - Helen Worboys
The IPCA had been notified and support provided to the officers involved.