Tragic events on Auckland streets

A motorist was killed after being confronted by an armed man who was at the time being pursued by Police on the North Western Motorway shortly after 2pm today.

Another motorist, the driver of a light truck, was injured after also being confronted by the man. His injuries are not serious and he is in Auckland Hospital receiving treatment.

The dead man will be removed from the scene as soon as possible and a post-mortem examination held forthwith.

Police have scenes on the motorway and in other parts of Auckland as they investigate the tragic events of this afternoon.

One man is in custody after having been arrested at the motorway scene by Armed Offenders Squad members. A weapon - a sawn-off .22 rifle - has been recovered by investigating officers at the scene.

The pursuit, which started in Glen Eden at about 1.08pm after the driver of a car pointed a gun at an officer who attempted to stop him, became increasingly dangerous to civilians and Police as shots were fired by the offender as he travelled through New Lynn, Avondale, Kingsland, Ponsonby and Grey Lynn before getting onto the North Western Motorway.

It was there that pursuing officers initiated a 'moving barricade' so as to put an armed Police safety buffer between the pursued driver and other motorists. At the time of the fatal shooting, the armed man was on foot and attempting to steal another vehicle, having got out of the car he had been driving.

Auckland City District commander, Superintendent George Fraser, says that from there events took a drastic turn when the man got out of the car he was driving and attempted to take another vehicle - that being driven by the fatal shooting victim.

'This is an absolute tragedy for the family of the dead man and, for that matter, the numerous members of public and Police who were drawn into it,' Mr Fraser said.

'Detective Inspector Peter Devoy has been tasked with overseeing the Police criminal investigation into the shootings and the events leading up to them. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been advised.
'While we are aware that several shots were fired throughout the hour or so from shortly after 1pm, we do not know who fired the fatal shot.'

Several witnesses, including attending Police officers, have been co-operating with Police but anyone with information who hasn't been in touch with Police should contact Auckland Central CIB.

Several Police vehicles and staff were involved over the period of the pursuit, including the Air Support Unit, Dog Section and CIB.