Man shot with harpoon in front of children during Mongrel Mob attack

Photograph: police/provided

Mongrel Mob gang members and an associate have been arrested after a man was speared in front of his young children.

Police said in a statement that they received several calls about the incident that occurred on Coates Street in Hamilton at around 11.30am on November 23.

Police said a man was walking his young children into his car with his partner when he was approached by two men he did not know dressed in Mongrel Mob attire.

“Conversations were had” before the man was allegedly attacked.

The man’s partner was also allegedly assaulted during the ordeal.

One of the gang members left before returning with a spear gun, with which one of the gang members allegedly shot the man in the leg.

Photograph: police/provided

Detective Sergeant Matt Lee said the alleged criminals “didn’t think twice about violently attacking a man in broad daylight in front of his young children”.

They all fled the scene and the man was taken to Waikato Hospital in a critical condition.

He has since undergone surgery to remove the spear and is in stable condition, police said.

A number of search warrants were executed in connection with the investigation, some of which used the Armed Offenders Squad.

Police said gang clothing was located and seized and arrests were made.

“Yesterday we arrested two men in Hamilton and a man in Wellington.

Photograph: police/provided

“A 28-year-old man appears in Hamilton District Court today on charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to wound and displaying gang insignia in a public place.

“A 34-year-old man appears in Wellington District Court today charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to wound and displaying a gang insignia in a public place.”

The 34-year-old was also charged with supplying Class A drugs in a separate case.

A 24-year-old woman will also appear in Hamilton District Court charged with assault with intent to injure and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Police said other charges could not be ruled out.

Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, A daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.