Six reported dead in New Zealand shooting spree

February 7, 1997
Web posted at: 10:30 p.m. EST

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CNN) -- A gunman went on a shooting spree Saturday in a small town on New Zealand's North Island, killing six people and seriously wounding as many as five others, police said.

Police said they had arrested the shooter, Radio New Zealand reported. They said the suspect, a 50-year-old man, was related to some of the victims, according to the report.

The shooting occurred around 9 a.m. in the town of Raurimu, located in central North Island near Mount Ruapehu, an active volcano.

The suspect, believed to be a local resident, was arrested not far from the scene, the report said.

The wounded were flown by helicopter to hospitals in the district, Radio New Zealand said.

A helicopter pilot who assisted in the operation said police were searching the area, which is mostly bush, for more possible victims.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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