Soldier's name revealed from armed shooting

Source : Dribble NZ News

Updated: 9.47am

He was 23-year-old Private Alexander Stuart Rope.

Dribble NZ News can confirm from other news sources that the name of the soldier involved in the armed shooting Friday at the Linton Camp is Alexander Rope who is 23 years old.

He took his life after depression following breaking upwith his partner and mother of his children.

It was released that Alexander had been charged with drink driving Thursday night. 

At 2am his ex-partner recieved a text which she saw Friday morning showing his depression. 

Officers found the body shortly after 2pm, the armed shooting went for 5 hours, and closed roadswhich reopened Friday afternoon at around 3pm.

His family at Wanganui were Friday night grieving the death of the young soldier. Family friend Annette Gray said he was a loving father.

"He was really nice, really polite, and a loving father," she said. "He just doted on his children."

A Defence Force spokesman said it was not known whether the gun involved was a military or privately owned weapon.

Major Robert Loftus, chief of staff of 1st Brigade, said the army was supporting the soldier's family.

"Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the soldier concerned at this difficult time.

"The NZ Army will be providing appropriate support to the family."

Mr Rope was not deployed overseas during his service in the army, Major Loftus said.

Rope's family members said they did not wish to make a comment at the moment and asked for privacy.

No one else was being sought in connection with his death and the matter had been referred to the coroner.

DRIBBLE NZ CAN REVEAL

                                                                                       Alexander Rope
* Alexander was 23 years old
* He went to Wanganui High School
* He has two children: a 5-year-old daughter and 1-year-old son
* His family live in the Wanganui area
* He had never been deployed overseas during his military service