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A person has been shot dead at a church in Manukau this morning, as a growing congregation of gang members gather at the scene.

It’s understood a member of the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Community Church has told the congregation police had caught the man responsible this afternoon.

The Herald understands the victim was a member of the Mongrel Mob who also had links to the Head Hunters.

A police spokesperson said officers were in attendance at a church on Puhinui Road, Manukau, after they received reports at 10 am that one person had been shot.

”Police can confirm that one person is deceased,” a police spokesperson said.

“Enquiries are underway to determine the circumstances of the incident.

“Police are providing support to people at the scene.”

Over two dozen police cars, dog handlers and armed offenders squad responded to the incident at a church in Manukau this morning.

Manukau resident Baljinder Singh was on Puhinui Rd when he saw over 25 police cars rush to Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Community Church on Puhinui Rd just before 11 am.

A cluster of aggravated people including several patched Mongrel Mob members were gathering at the entrance to the church as of 1pm today.

There are up to about a dozen people in the group, and the atmosphere was described as tense by a Herald reporter at the scene.

Police are at Papatoetoe Seventh Day Adventist Community Church where a person has been shot dead. Photo / Dean Purcell

Over two dozen police cars, dog handlers and armed offenders squad are responding to an incident at a church in Manukau this morning.

Manukau resident Baljinder Singh was on Puhinui Rd when he saw over 25 police cars rush to Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Community Church on Puhinui Rd just before 11 am.

Singh said the officers had blocked Puhinui Rd and two ambulances left the church.

 “A person who was working outside the church said there was a shooting inside and he heard people screaming.

Police have taped off Adventist Community Church in Manukau. Photo / Supplied

“Police helicopter is circling the area, there are a lot of officers, armed offenders squad and dog handlers.

“Inside of the church is taped off.

“Police are still searching the area, all surrounding roads are blocked as well,” Singh said.

Police vehicles parked on Edorvale Rd. Photo / Supplied.

A Hato Hone St John spokesperson said they were notified of an incident in Manukau at 10 am and responded with two ambulances, one manager and two rapid response vehicles.

“We were not required for transportation.”