Whangarei homicide victim a patched gang member

Part of the ambulance station was cordoned off on Tuesday morning (Newshub.)
Part of the ambulance station was cordoned off on Tuesday morning (Newshub.)

Police have confirmed that the 37-year-old man killed in Whangarei on Tuesday morning is patched Tribesmen Motorcycle Club gang member John Henry Harris.

Mr Harris was dropped at the Whangarei St John Ambulance station on Tuesday morning in a critical condition and died shortly after.

A homicide investigation has been launched by police, who have confirmed that Mr Harris died of a gunshot wound to the chest.

Detective Inspector Kevin Burke says police are now looking for information or sightings of two vehicles of interest, which are thought to be key pieces of the investigation into the shooting of Mr Harris.

One is a red 2007 Holden Commodore GTS with a registration number of JCS248, which police believe was towed from a property in Whangarei City.

The other car is a black 2011 Holden Commodore SS, which has a registration number of FZC162 and was spotted on fire on Lovell Rd in Ruatangata at about 12pm on Tuesday.

Det Insp Burke said while the incident was gang-related, it was an internal incident between two members of the Tribesmen Motorcycle Club.

"We understand that this incident may have been ignited as a result of simmering disputes involving a vehicle," he said.

He also said there was no reason to believe the latest shooting had anything to do with a homicide in the nearby town of Otangarei earlier in the month.

Det Insp Burke says there are "some persons of interest" that police are working to locate, but they have not yet arrested anyone.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on (09) 430 4500 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously 0800 555 111.

Newshub.