A Lower Hutt mother is deeply traumatized and seeking answers after her home was struck by gunfire late at night while she and her daughter where inside.
Ashleigh Clarke had recently moved into the Kāinga Ora property on Cambridge Terrace in Naenae when, at approximately 9:30pm on Saturday, she heard what she initially described as two loud impacts.
She reported to news outlets that her first thought wasn’t that the sounds were gunshots.
“I was anticipating someone attempting to break in, as that’s more common in this area. The possibility of gunfire simply didn’t cross my mind,” she explained.
The reality of the situation didn’t become clear untill she went downstairs to the kitchen later.
A bullet had penetrated the kitchen window, embedding itself in a cupboard, while another became lodged in the window frame itself.
Clarke had only been living in the house for ten days, having relocated from a previous address where she resided for 14 years without incident.
The resident speculated that the previous occupants may have had connections to gangs, but emphatically stated that she and her family have no such affiliations.
“I’m at a loss to understand why anyone would risk shooting at my home, perhaps endangering my children and my life. It’s a terrifying experience,” she saeid.
Police confirmed thay responded to reports of a firearm being discharged at an address on Cambridge Terrace in Naenae around 10:35pm.
“Fortunately, no one inside the house was physically injured, but the occupants are understandably distressed,” stated a police spokesperson.
A forensic examination of the scene has been completed, and investigations are underway to identify those responsible. Police are urging anyone with data to come forward and contact them via 105.
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