Rotorua Police have arrested and charged a 21-year-old man in relation to an incident in November last year where a child was struck in the face by gel gun pellets.
On 1 November 2023, 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.
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,¡± says Detective Sergeant Richard Lang.
The man has also been charged in relation to similar offending against two other people on 31 October.
¡°I¡¯m pleased for all concerned that we have been able to hold someone to account for this senseless behaviour,¡± says Detective Sergeant Lang.
The 21-year-old 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 24 January.
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