Gunshots Fired During Mongrel Mob Funeral Procession in Whakatane

Shots have been fired and police are gathering as one of New Zealand's biggest gangs gathers for a funeral in Whakatane.

More than 100 Mongrel Mob cars made up the funeral procession through the town, with patched members exchanging taunts with rival Black Power gang members on Whakatane's main street.

A Facebook video posted by Hemapo Kereama shows the moment when shots were fired around the Mongrel Mob funeral procession this afternoon.

"We're gonna save the town from them," a Black Power gang member told the Whakatane Beacon at the Landing Road Bridge entrance to the town, where about 30 Black Power and Crips gang members had congregated to block the road, should Mongrel Mob members try to enter the town that way. They were later escorted from the bridge by police.

The NZ Herald is reporting the tangi is to honour Mongrel Mob gang member Tahu Kingi. According to Fairfax Media, today's confrontations follow a series of altercations between the gangs last Friday, where where Mongrel Mob members allegedly attacked and ran over a Black Power member who passed by.

For portraits and more stories of New Zealand's most notorious gang, read here.

Police cars escorted the motorcade through the town, with around 15 Police officers, and armed offenders squad were on-site monitoring the procession. A local told VICE police had blocked off the road as the motorcade made its way to the crematorium in Hillcrest Rd and residents had been unable to get home for an hour.

Police said the shots were fired at around 2.15 PM near the corner of Valley and Arawa Roads. They said in a statement several people were arrested and enquiries were continuing.

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