Police following up petrol cans found on marae

Petrol station owners and workers could hold the key to finding a gunman who shot and wounded a youth worker on Auckland's Orakei Marae early Tuesday morning.

Police say they are looking for any information about two 10-litre petrol containers found at the marae yesterday.

Detective Inspector Gavin Jones said the containers seemed to be new and may have been bought and filled at a nearby service station on Monday or early Tuesday morning.

"We haven't had the contents of the containers scientifically tested yet, but it's fairly safe to say they're both full of petrol."

Paul Davis, aged 42, was shot in the stomach when he confronted a man with a .22 rifle in the marae's meeting house about 4 am. He underwent surgery and was released from hospital today.

Nineteen children, including Mr Davis's daughter, and two adults were sleeping there when the gunman entered the building.

Mr Jones said the scene examination was completed yesterday. He also said it was possible whoever shot Mr Davis was accompanied and may have used a vehicle.

nzherald.co.nz