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New Zealand policeman shot dead New Zealand policeman shot dead
(about 1 hour later)
A siege is underway in the town of Napier, New Zealand after a policeman was killed while attempting to enter a house to search for illegal drugs. A siege is under way in the town of Napier, New Zealand, after a policeman was killed while attempting to enter a house to search for illegal drugs.
Jan Molenaar, a former army reservist, allegedly shot dead Senior Constable Len Snee, seriously wounded two other police and injured a bystander.Jan Molenaar, a former army reservist, allegedly shot dead Senior Constable Len Snee, seriously wounded two other police and injured a bystander.
The armed standoff began on Thursday but the officers body remained where he fell while the gunman fired at random. The stand-off began on Thursday but the officer's body remained where he fell while the gunman fired at random.
New Zealand police are not normally armed; 29 have died on duty since 1890.New Zealand police are not normally armed; 29 have died on duty since 1890.
The authorities are preparing for the possibility of the siege lasting for days.The authorities are preparing for the possibility of the siege lasting for days.
The situation was "incredibly tense" said Superintendent Sam Hoyle, who is the officer in charge of the operation, although he added that the siege could also end in minutes. The situation was "incredibly tense" said Superintendent Sam Hoyle, who is the officer in charge of the operation.
What was he trying to protect? That's what I want to know. A silly marijuana plant? Anna Molenaar Mother of the gunmanWhat was he trying to protect? That's what I want to know. A silly marijuana plant? Anna Molenaar Mother of the gunman
In the meantime, police have evacuated nearby residents.In the meantime, police have evacuated nearby residents.
"At least 500 people could not return to their homes," Mayor of Napier Barbara Arnott told National Radio in New Zealand."At least 500 people could not return to their homes," Mayor of Napier Barbara Arnott told National Radio in New Zealand.
Mr Molenaar, who police believe has a stock of ammunition, has been sporadically firing bursts from an automatic rifle.Mr Molenaar, who police believe has a stock of ammunition, has been sporadically firing bursts from an automatic rifle.
However, he has refused to speak to police negotiators.However, he has refused to speak to police negotiators.
His brother, Peter Molenaar, has been on the radio to urge him to give himself up.His brother, Peter Molenaar, has been on the radio to urge him to give himself up.
"He over-reacted to the situation. He flipped," Mr Molenaar said."He over-reacted to the situation. He flipped," Mr Molenaar said.
His mother Anna has apologised "to the police who have been shot and those who are injured and in hospital," by her son's actions.His mother Anna has apologised "to the police who have been shot and those who are injured and in hospital," by her son's actions.
She told New Zealand television she had difficulty understanding her son's actions.She told New Zealand television she had difficulty understanding her son's actions.
"What was he trying to protect? That's what I want to know. A silly marijuana plant?" she said."What was he trying to protect? That's what I want to know. A silly marijuana plant?" she said.