A man has been arrested after allegedly hitting a child in the face with gel gun pellets in a drive-by shooting in Rotorua.
Police said a woman reported that her 11-year-old son had been injured after being hit by pellets fired by a man in a passing car on Pererika Street on November 1, 2023.
The woman and her son had been taking part in a rubbish pick-up organised by the Scouts.
"Fortunately the injuries suffered by the young boy were not serious, but it was a distressing incident for him and his mum, and for the other children who were nearby at the time," Detective Sergeant Richard Lang said.
On Wednesday, police said officers have arrested and charged a 21-year-old man in relation to the shooting.
The man has also been charged in relation to similar offending against two other people on October 31, 2023.
"I'm pleased for all concerned that we have been able to hold someone to account for this senseless behaviour," Detective Sergeant Lang said.
The man is facing three charges of discharging a firearm in or near a place/dwelling, and one charge of behaving threateningly. He is scheduled to appear in Rotorua District Court on January 24.
