Armed: Police look for Taranaki gunman

Armed police picked up a man after he was seen walking down a New Plymouth street near many schools with a gun.

Central Communications Inspector Mike Coleman said members of the public had alerted the police to the man after he was seen walking past Devon Intermediate with the gun.

At the same time armed police with putting many streets in lock down nearby Devon Intermediate had a fire underway in the Library.

Cordons were put in place while police searched for the man but he was later found at his home.

The police tried to contact Devon Intermediate to put the school in complete lock down but the calls were unheard due to the loud sirens.

Although police did catch the gunman later in the afternoon.

"We caught him at his house," Mr Coleman said.

"He was actually walking home after trying to sell the gun."

Police cordons around the area have been lifted.