Police in New Zealand's South Island town Ashburton was hunting for a gunman after two people were shot dead and another injured at the local Work and Income Office.

The incident began about 10 o'clock in the morning when a man entered the Ashburton Work and Income Office and started shooting.

According to local newspaper Ashburton Guardian, a witness said the man was wearing a black balaclava and shot at two women. Other witnesses told the newspaper the man was carrying a shotgun and fled on a bike.

Gary Knowles, the superintendent of Canterbury District said the police identified John Henry Tully, a 48-year-old homeless man, was a person of interest in the case. Tully had been interviewed by local newspaper a month ago about his struggles finding somewhere to live.

The man remained on the loose after seven hours of the shooting.

Ashburton is 90 kilometers southwest of Christchurch and is home to about 30,000 people. Endi

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