Three gang members have been found guilty of the murder of two-year-old Jhia te Tua

Three gang members have been found guilty of the murder of two-year-old Jhia te Tua, who was killed in a drive-by shooting at her parents' home in May last year.MP Chester Borrows says other provincial centres have a worse gang problem than Wanganui.He says there is always a concern about tensions between gangs, but everyone in Wanganui will have to, and usually does, live within the law.Borrows says the shooting has negatively impacted on people's perception of the town.
Jhia was shot dead in her parents' lounge as she slept. Tragically, her mother had moved her from her bedroom because of fears she should not be left alone after a recent escalation in gang violence.Police have been on standby for any gang confrontations arising from the verdicts and has urged supporters of the convicted men to think again before pursuing any retaliation.The gang tensions in the town meant 22 witnesses key to the verdict had to give evidence anonymously.

Posted in: Wanganui