Police are appealing to the public to come forward with any film recordings of the gang funeral procession in yesterday afternoon.
Shots were fired at about 2:15pm during the funeral procession in Whakatane where Mongrel Mob and Black Power members clashed.
A 21-year-old man, affiliated with the Out Back Blacks gang, has been charged with possession of an offensive weapon. He is scheduled to appear in court next week.
On the weekend Whakatane police were kept busy with a fight at a gang member's funeral.
Sociologist Jarrod Gilbert says the latest spate of gang violence in a Bay of Plenty town could mean a new generation of gang members is coming through, as gang activity in the area has seen a drop over recent years.
"It wasn't that long ago that the whole scene looked very, very tired and was shrinking. Then all of a sudden we have just seen numbers come back up.
"Brawls like these used to be much more common, today less so. But we are seeing something of a resurgence in the gang scene. When we see growth, in a crowded room people tend to get elbowed so violence is a consequence."
Several people were arrested on Tuesday when the 100-strong Mongrel Mob funeral procession headed towards the Whakatane crematorium and into Black Power territory.
Mr Gilbert says the situation will need further assistance from police and town leaders.
"There seems to be a resurgence in the scene and if you have greater numbers then you are going to have greater concern."
However Mr Gilbert highly doubts there will be mass retaliation.
He says an aging gang population means conflict is increasingly short-lived.
"We do tend to get much faster resolutions. These battles don't tend to escalate into all out gang wars. One of the reasons for that is that the scene has matured. They are now populated by men who are often 40, 50 or 60."
It's not clear who fired the shots - but 10 armed officers and 20 more police were sent in and quickly sealed off streets leading to the Crematorium.
Mr Gilbert says Whakatane has been host to a lot of gang activity in past years.
Area commander senior sergeant Richard Miller has asked for anyone with information which may help police them on 07 308 5255.
Alternatively, if people wish to remain anonymous they can contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
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