Police closed down a suburban street in Palmerston North after a suspected shooting on Monday.

An axe-wielding man shot in the torso escaped serious injury when the bullet only clipped him in a Palmerston North shooting.

Armed police swarmed the streets of Palmerston North on Monday afternoon after the incident, which left roads shut and nearby schools on high alert.

By evening, police said they were probing "what appears to be a suspected shooting" in the suburb of Awapuni, but they would not confirm an incident had taken place or if the gunman was still on the run.

1 of 9 Murray Wilson Road blocks are in place in Awapuni following a suspected shooting. 2 of 9 Murray Wilson Police gather on College St near Burfield Pl. 3 of 9 Murray Wilson Police at the scene of a firearms incident in Awapuni. 4 of 9 Murray Wilson Police put down markers on the pavement next to College St, near the intersection of Burfield Pl 5 of 9 Murray Wilson Members of the Armed Offenders Squad gather. 6 of 9 MURRAY WILSON Armed police at the scene of a fracas in Palmerston North. 7 of 9 MURRAY WILSON Police examine the scene on College St, near Burfield Place 8 of 9 Murray Wilson Police mark areas of interest on College St. 9 of 9 Murray Wilson/Fairfax NZ Armed police cordoned off the intersection of College St and Botanical Rd after shots were fired.

A man was taken to hospital with minor to moderate injuries has been discharged, but the nature of the injuries could not be confirmed.

Police believe the incident is a dispute between the two parties involved and the general public are not at risk.

One of the men at the College St house where the shooting took place about 2pm said occupants had worried for weeks about people stalking around the house at night.

MURRAY WILSON Police examine the scene on College St, near Burfield Place

Three men were there on Monday afternoon, when one went outside, carrying an axe, to check on people they noticed sitting in a car on the street, he said.

"I was in the kitchen ... when I got out there he [my mate] had the axe in his hand, he threw the axe, and then a fella pulled a gun and got my mate."

It was a shotgun, he said. Two shots were fired, striking the man with the axe in the abdomen area, his friend said.

"He's a big fella, he's alright. He said, 'I think he clipped me', and then I saw blood.

MURRAY WILSON Armed police at the scene of a fracas in Palmerston North

"I said, 'Jump in the f...... car, I'm going to take you to hospital', and he said 'nah, you haven't got a licence."

Another friend there at the time drove the injured man to the hospital.

His friend said he was concerned the incident had taken place at a house where a young girl and woman lived.

Those involved knew each other, he said, and he was unhappy police had searched the house afterwards.

"We're the victims here."

Cordons, set up around the College St and Botanical Rd intersection shortly after the incident, were lifted just after 4pm. They stretched near West End School and Awatapu College.

A police spokeswoman said the two schools in the area were warned of the incident, but were not in lockdown.

Armed police were also seen moving down Botanical Rd, away from College St.





"A police sergeant told me they wouldn't be able to come out until they sorted the crime scene. It could be ages."

About 3.20pm, police were seen escorting some of the children out of the centre.



Charlotte Barry was there, picking up her boy.



"The kids didn't even know in the end. The staff just kept them busy playing games a little longer."

Also, about 1.45pm on Monday, police attended a brawl in The Square, in central Palmerston North.

The police spokeswoman said callers reported as many as seven men chasing another man, and a fist fight. There were no reports of weapons.

The spokeswoman said it was unlikely the two incidents were linked.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Palmerston North police on 06 351 3600 or information can be given via the anonymous Crimestoppers line, 0800 555 111.