Innocent 16-year-old is SHOT outside a birthday party after gatecrashers fired at random 

A 16-year-old boy has been shot dead at a 15th birthday party after gatecrashers fired into the crowd in a drive-by shooting.

Connor Whiteland was standing talking to his friends outside the house in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday night when he was hit.

A man allegedly drove into the Heaphy Place cul-de-sac and sprayed gunfire into a crowd, seemingly at random, killing Connor.

Christchurch police arrested the alleged killer, and three other suspects due to appear in court charged with being accessories after the fact to murder.

Another suspected accomplice is still at large.

‘This person is aware he is being sought and we urge him to hand himself into police,’ police said.

Connor convinced his parents to let him attend the 15th birthday party and, was allegedly the victim of random gunfire.

Police believe uninvited guests arrived and after a parent was phoned to calm things down about 11pm local time, an altercation took place that allegedly led to gunshots.

The alleged gunman fired several times, witnesses said, seemingly at random.

Connor was standing, talking to some friends when he was struck by gunfire on the front of his body.

Armed police searching the scene that Mr Whiteland was killed

Armed police arrived at the scene of Mr Whiteland’s death after an emergency call made at 11.03pm on Friday evening last week

His friends attempted emergency first aid while another made an emergency call.

Police arrived at the scene and attempted emergency CPR, followed by the St John ambulance paramedics 10 minutes later, but Connor was declared dead at the scene.

Police said the alleged killer was in custody and is assisting police with their investigation into Connor’s murder. He has not yet been charged.  

‘We are devastated by Connor’s death and still trying to come to terms with what has occurred,’ Connor’s family said in a statement.

‘We are in shock and want answers about what happened to our beloved son, brother, and friend.

Mr Whiteland’s family said they are still coming to terms with what has happened

‘The magnitude of this senseless loss hasn’t begun to sink in.

‘Connor was dearly loved, and his passing has left a huge hole in our lives.

‘He was a kind, talented and deeply loyal young man who had such a bright future ahead of him.

‘Connor was in no way connected to, or affiliated with, the people who are [believed to be] responsible for his death.’

Students and friends of Connor have started gathering at the scene to mourn their loss at what they now refer to as ‘Connor’s Corner’.