Key Takeaways

• Police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the shooting at a Waitārere Beach property where four people were shot.
• A 111 call made from the property was made by a child, and police responded to find one person dead and three others critically injured.
• A dismantled gun, parts, and ammo were seized from the property a few hours before the shooting.
• The survivors, a 46-year-old woman and two males aged 17 and 21, remain critically wounded in Wellington Hospital.
• Police had previously responded to a family harm-related incident at the same property on January 9, where a person was arrested and charged with assault.

Introduction to the Incident
The shooting at a Waitārere Beach property has left one person dead and three others critically injured. Police believe that a 111 call made from the property was made by a child, and they responded to find the victims. The deceased has been identified as 60-year-old Benjamin Harry Timmins by his sister. The survivors, a 46-year-old woman and two males aged 17 and 21, remain critically wounded in Wellington Hospital. A young girl at the scene is being cared for by family, and police are not looking for anyone else in relation to the shooting.

Police Response and Investigation
Police have revealed that they responded to a family harm-related incident at the same property on January 9, where a person was arrested and charged with assault on a person in a family relationship. The person was due in court on the day of the fatal shooting. On the night of the shooting, police were first called to the address at 7:15 pm after a person reported locating what they believed to be a firearm in a shed at the property. Inspector Ross Grantham said that police located and seized a dismantled firearm, firearms parts, and ammunition, with the intent of forensically examining them and considering any firearms-related charges that might be applicable. Police were called back to the property just a few hours later, where they found one person deceased and three people critically injured.

The Tragic Events of the Night
The events of the night are still being investigated, but police believe that the quick response by officers likely saved the three victims’ lives. Inspector Grantham said that the officers were confronted with a harrowing scene that no one should have to witness. The police response was swift, with officers arriving at the scene within eight minutes of the second call. The investigation is ongoing, and a scene examination will continue for the next few days. Locals can expect to see a police presence in the area for the time being. Inspector Grantham commended everyone who was involved in this harrowing ordeal, from those who called emergency services to the first responders at the scene.

Tribute to the Deceased
Timmins’ sister paid tribute to her brother on Facebook, saying that he was her rock, her friend, her protector, and above all, her brother. She said that she would miss him and that it was with the heaviest of broken hearts that she was sharing the news of his death. She described him as a "loved friend, father, and brother" and a "trickster, funny fella, all round solid gold." A private cremation will be held for Timmins. The community is still coming to terms with the tragic events of the night, and the investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

Ongoing Investigation and Support
The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and police are working to understand how and why this tragic incident occurred. The information gathered in the earlier visit to the address by police officers will form part of their inquiries. The survivors are still receiving medical attention, and the young girl at the scene is being cared for by family. The community is being supported by local authorities, and counseling services are available to those affected by the tragedy. The police presence in the area will continue for the time being, and locals are being reassured that the situation is under control. As the investigation continues, more information will become available, and the community will be kept updated on any developments.