Police announce charges against alleged Hamilton police officer shooter

A 23-year-old man accused of shooting a police officer in Hamilton overnight has been charged.

The man, who was the passenger in a car pulled over for a routine traffic stop on Bankwood St, Hamilton just before midnight on Friday, allegedly shot the officer in the arm and shoulder before stealing a police car and fleeing. 

He was later found at an address in the Waikato town of Ngāruawāhia and taken into custody. On Saturday night, police confirmed he had been charged with aggravated wounding, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawfully taking a motor vehicle.

He is expected to appear in the Hamilton District Court on Monday.

The driver, a 27-year-old, also fled the scene but was found at an address on Sherwood Dr. He appeared in court on Saturday on an unrelated matter.

Police say further charges are likely.

The officer remains in Waikato Hospital in a stable condition.

Vikaas Sharma works at a superette on Sherwood Dr, where the driver of the car was taken away in handcuffs. He told Newshub news of the shooting was "shocking".

National police spokesperson Simeon Brown said frontline officers are putting themselves in harm's way every day and the shooting was "incredibly concerning".

"In just the past few days we have seen a police officer rammed with a car in Auckland and now this shooting in Hamilton. I commend the police for their efforts in arresting the alleged gunman this morning," Brown said.

"Beyond the rising violence and day to day risk of being a police officer, we are also seeing more anti-police rhetoric imported from overseas. The demonisation of the police - even at times by elected officials - contributes to more hostility on the streets and further aggression towards officers.   

"Tougher penalties are urgently needed to send a very clear message that assaulting a police officer is unacceptable and will not be tolerated."

Hamilton Mayor Paula Southgate said her primary concern at the moment was for the officer, and she was wishing him a speedy recovery. 

"I really do send warm feelings to all of our police today because they'll be concerned about their colleague and it's just not a very nice moment for them," she told Newshub.