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New Zealand: Welfare office shooting suspect arrested

HOMELESS man John Tully, who is suspected of shooting dead two people at a New Zealand welfare office was arrested today after a seven-hour manhunt.

A third person was seriously injured when a man opened fire inside the Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) office in Ashburton before fleeing on a bicycle.

Police named the suspect as 48-year-old Mr Tully — who was interviewed by a local newspaper last month talking about his struggles with the benefit system and finding somewhere to live.

Tully told the Ashburton Guardian he previously worked in Australian mines but now lived in a tent after being unable to secure government-assisted accommodation.

He also wrote to the authorities about his struggles.

The Ministry of Social Development confirmed that all three victims worked for the agency.

Police are still searching for the murder weapon, believed to be a sawn-off shotgun.

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