- By Jane Nixon, Franklin Times
The manager of an early learning centre in Flat Bush, south-east Auckland, says she spent this Monday morning sitting next to the front door, as nearby police descended on the suburb looking for a gunman.
The manager, who does not want to be named, went to work as usual just before 7am on October 6, when the doors opened at the centre.
Two hours later, she got a call from her husband who works at a nearby school to say it had gone into lockdown.
“He said the Ministry of Education had called the school and so he told me to close all the doors and windows and go into lockdown too,” she says.
The ministry contacted the early learning centre soon after.
“I closed the door, and no one was allowed in or out,” she says.
A short distance away, police had cordoned off Chapel Road, between Baverstock Road and Stancombe Road in Flat Bush, after a member of the public shot an officer.
“Just after 9.30am, officers were at a property in Chapel Road conducting enquiries when a firearm was discharged at police,” a statement from police said at 10.30am.
“One officer has been injured, however, at this early stage it appears the injuries are non-life threatening.”
The manager and her three staff were in charge of 10 children.
“I was scared to be honest, but I couldn’t allow the kids to be.
“All of us are scared because some of the teachers have kids at schools close by.”
She says staff didn’t tell the children what was happening.
“I didn’t want them to be scared and cry.”
The Times understands at least six other schools in the area, including childcare centres were in lockdown during the incident.
The manager says she spent the morning “keeping the children busy inside”.
“I was watching the kids and sitting next to the door because I didn’t know what would happen.
“There’s a gunman around and no one’s catching him.”
She says a parent arrived during the lockdown ordeal to try and collect their child but wasn’t allowed to go inside.
“The parent understood,” says the manager. “This was about the child’s safety.”
Nearly four hours after the lockdown, she says she heard gunshots – and soon after that the Education Ministry rang her to say the doors could open.
“All the parents were worried about their kids. We told them we have taken care of them but as soon as we could, we messaged them on WhatsApp to tell them they could collect their children.”
By 4pm, six children had been taken home by caregivers.
Police say cordons were to remain in place on Chapel Road, between Baverstock Road and Stancombe Road, while enquiries continue.
