Images of a “extremely dangerous” guy that police are looking for have been made public following a fatal shooting in Ponsonby, Auckland, late last night.
A guy was discovered dead following “reports of a firearm being discharged” outside of an address on a street in Central Auckland.
According to Detective Inspector Chris Barry, the individual in question was turned away from a bar just before the incident occurred because it was about to close.
“He was seen lingering on Ponsonby Rd towards the Richmond Road end.”
Around 10.15 p.m., four persons—among them the victim—stepped out of a parked car on Ponsonby Road and started to move toward the man, according to Barry.
“According to inquiries thus far, several rounds were fired.
“Police have now identified the man as the offender” .
The individual has a huge frame, dark hair, facial hair, and a large tattoo on his forearm, according to reports.
The public is being asked to assist investigators in identifying him, but they are cautioning that he is “extremely dangerous” and should not be approached.
“I just think it’s in everyone’s best interests that we identify him and apprehend him and hold him to account at the earliest opportunity,” Barry stated.
“We would also like to remind anyone who may be assisting in concealing the man’s whereabouts could also find themselves being prosecuted.”
What happened to the man after the shooting? According to Barry, “he was then seen to be walking south on Ponsonby Rd, in the direction of Richmond Rd.”
According to Barry, police think the man’s side bag contained the firearm used in the shooting. He went on to say that it was unclear why the individual had done it.
Not only that, but authorities are “urgently seeking information from the public to assist” in identifying the man. Police are requesting that anyone with dash camera or CCTV footage from last night’s events submit it to investigators via a new website.
“Police have set up a secure portal which people can upload any images and footage.”
According to Barry, police were aware of the “unease” in the neighborhood, especially because no one had been taken into custody.
“Any type of incident involving a firearm is extremely concerning,” he stated.
“However, we would like to reassure Ponsonby residents, and the wider community, that a dedicated police team are working diligently to hold the person involved to account.”
This morning, armed officers were stationed to man cordons. Earlier, a body covered in a white sheet was observed on Ponsonby Road’s walkway. Residents reported hearing gunshots yesterday night to 1News.
Over the next few days, the victim will undergo a post-mortem and be formally identified.
According to Barry, the incident has left the folks who were with the victim when they were shot traumatized.
“You can be certain we will piece together why this shocking incident occurred.”
Resident reacts to shooting
Truda Chadwick, a homeowner of Ponsonby Road, told 1News that she heard helicopters flying overhead last night as she was just getting home.
Her words, “I felt really quite chilled,” “It was actually a really weird feeling and I haven’t actually felt that before.”
Despite what other neighbors had alleged, Chadwick denied hearing gunfire or seeing any bikers loitering around.
“Ponsonby was always a bit, sort of, frisky in that area I suppose a long time ago, but we haven’t had anything like that in such a long time.”
Living on Ponsonby Road, she said, she feels “pretty safe” most of the time.
“I’ve been here for a long time; things come and go, but I feel like things are getting a little complicated with safety in New Zealand, but I guess that’s true anywhere.
“I don’t know what was behind this or whether it was a random event.”
A portion of Ponsonby Road was blocked off earlier while police looked into the incident. Following traffic delays and bus detours due to the closure, the road was fully reopened at approximately 3 p.m. today afternoon.
