Onehunga bus attack: Police arrest alleged suspect after 24 hours on the run following female passenger’s death
Police have arrested a 37-year-old man wanted in connection to the death of a woman on a bus in Auckland’s Onehunga after a 24-hour manhunt.
“A man sought in connection with a fatality following an assault on a bus in Onehunga yesterday has been taken into custody,” police said.
The 37-year-old man handed himself in at North Shore police station this afternoon.
Auckland City relieving district crime manager, Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson, said the investigation was still in its infancy.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done to piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident.
”Police would like to thank everyone who has provided information, and would still like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this ordeal.”
The woman - who was a passenger on the bus - was found with multiple stab wounds and died at the scene after the attack about 2.30pm yesterday.
Robertson spoke from Auckland central police station in Freemans Bay earlier today, saying police had launched a homicide investigation and were hunting Kael Austin Leona in relation to the woman’s death.
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board chairwoman Maria Meredith told the Herald shortly before 3pm that the alleged offender handed himself into police on Auckland’s North Shore.
Lane Nichols
Lane Nichols
'More needs to be done' - Act MP
Scott Palmer
Act MP Parmjeet Parmar says yesterday’s attack has validated the public's fears "in the worst possible way".
"The attack comes a week after I wrote to Auckland Transport to convey the concerns raised with me by a bus driver who was assaulted at work last month," she says.
"While I cannot speak to the circumstances of yesterday’s attack, I believe Auckland Transport can take steps to improve safety for bus drivers and passengers alike.
"The Government is progressing changes to the Sentencing Act and bringing back Three Strikes to deliver tougher sentences for serious crimes. But more needs to be done to ensure safety on public transport, including at the local level."
MP's thoughts with victim’s whānau
Scott Palmer
National Party MP for Maungakiekie Greg Fleming says his thoughts are with the whānau of the bus stabbing victim.
"I understand the deep impact this senseless act of violence has had on our community," he posted to Facebook.
"Police are still piecing together the events and encourage any witnesses to come forward.
"I’d like to thank the police for their tireless work and have appreciated being kept up to date as the case developed.
"My thoughts are with the victim’s whānau during this incredibly difficult time."
Luxon 'incredibly saddened' by stabbing
Scott Palmer
Speaking from Samoa, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was "incredibly saddened and shocked" by the fatal stabbing, and his thoughts are with the family of the victim.
"They were just going about their everyday life, that could have been anyone in New Zealand."
He added he wanted to acknowledge the victim and the pain their loved ones are going through.
"That shouldn't happen in New Zealand. We need to think again about what more we could be doing."
Suspect hands himself in
Scott Palmer
Police say the man sought over the fatal stabbing on a bus in Onehunga yesterday has been taken into custody.
The 37-year-old man handed himself in at the North Shore Police station this afternoon.
Auckland City Relieving District Crime Manager Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson thanked the community for their help.
“The investigation is still in its infancy and there’s still a lot of work to be done to piece together the events leading up to this tragic incident," she said.
“Police would like to thank everyone who has provided information, and would still like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this ordeal.”
Information can be provided to Police by making an online report at 105.police.govt.nz using “Update Report” or by calling 105.
Please reference the file number 241023/8926.
Local board chair says suspect handed himself into police
Lane Nichols
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Local Board chairwoman Maria Meredith told the Herald the alleged offender handed himself in to a police station on Auckland's North Shore.
Meredith said police called her on Thursday afternoon to update her about the case.
"This is a huge relief for the community."
Auckland city councillor Josephine Bartley understands suspect now in police custody
Lane Nichols
"I understand from police and local board chair Maria that the offender is in police custody," she posted on social media.
"Can I just take this opportunity to offer my sincere condolences to the family of the victim. Can I also just acknowledge the police and their fast action and also the Onehunga community for coming together.
"I heard from one of the businesses near where it happened on the bus and he said locals have been reaching out to him and his team checking in. Again people should be safe when using public transport."
Extra transport officers deployed
Scott Palmer
Auckland Transport is helping Police after a fatal stabbing on a number 74 bus service in Onehunga yesterday.
"Our thoughts are with the victim's loved ones at this time, as well as the bus driver and passengers who were witnesses to yesterday's tragic incident," said Auckland Transport director of public transport and active modes, Stacey van der Putten.
Extra transport officers are being deployed to the route the bus was taking.
"We are deploying extra transport officers on the 74 route and will have an increased presence in the wider area today and over the coming days," she told the Herald.
"Passengers travelling onboard our bus, train and ferry services deserve to be safe and feel safe, and we are committed to working with our partner agencies and communities to turn the tide on violence and aggression in our public spaces."
Stabbing ‘shocks and saddens’ Wellington public transport authority
Scott Palmer
The death of a passenger who was stabbed on an Auckland bus yesterday was acknowledged by Greater Wellington at today's Transport Committee meeting.
Chair of the regional council Daran Ponter said the death has “shocked and saddened” councillors and Metlink officers.
“Our thoughts are with family and friends of the victim, as well as the bus driver and Auckland Transport staff,” he said in a statement.
“We can only imagine the feeling in the Onehunga community following this senseless tragedy. While it could have happened anywhere, it’s extremely disappointing that passengers may now feel unsafe on public transport."
He assured the public that the safety of passengers and frontline staff is the top priority for all public transport authorities.
“We’re grateful to police in Wellington for swiftly responding to incidents on our network and to police in Auckland for investigating this horrific crime with vigour.”
Bus and Coach Association 'horrified' at killing, praises driver for preventing harm to other passengers
Lane Nichols
The Bus and Coach Association says the industry is rattled to the core following the senseless homicide that occurred on board an Auckland bus.
“We’re horrified by what’s happened, and first and foremost our thoughts go out to the family of the victim," says Delaney Myers, chief executive of the Bus and Coach Association.
“She should have been safe going about her own business, and this is devastating.”
Myers praised the bus driver for their actions when the attack unfolded on the moving bus.
“We’re very proud of him. He acted with the utmost professionalism in a terrifying emergency situation, and his actions potentially avoided harm to the other passengers. He then went to try and assist the victim while waiting for the police and ambulance services to arrive.
“The role of a bus driver is to safely pilot passengers to their destination. Not policing the criminal behaviour of passengers.”
Myers said this was not a bus safety issue.
“This incident isn’t about safety on buses, it’s about increasingly complex societal problems that manifest in antisocial behaviour all over the country, in public and private settings.”
The Association had spoken to the bus operator, Kinetic, which was ensuring the driver got the support he needed after witnessing such a traumatic incident. The driver has been signed off work to recover, is receiving extensive support, and has been offered counselling.
“Hopefully the police are able to apprehend the suspect very quickly to provide greater confidence for our passengers and drivers.”
* All buses are fitted out with CCTV, GPS and panic buttons that record sound, connecting directly with the bus depot - who can quickly respond / guide emergency services to intervene.
* All drivers undertake de-escalation training to reduce the risk of anti-social incidents putting passengers and drivers at risk, but ultimately the responsibility for criminal behaviour lies with the individual. As part of this training, drivers are not able to take enforcement action, such as detaining antisocial passengers, or stop them getting on or off the bus.
* Our operators work closely with Auckland Transport and the police to highlight trouble spots, to help ensure their resources, such as security officers are deployed in the right areas.
* Most passengers enjoy safe, uneventful journeys with the Auckland bus transport network that sees over 1.6 million trips each week.
Act MP Dr Parmjeet Parmar issues statement
Lane Nichols
Today, Act’s thoughts are with the family of the woman who has died after being attacked on a bus in Onehunga.
Everyone deserves to be safe while taking public transport.
Security on buses and trains is regularly raised with me and my colleagues, and yesterday’s attack has validated common fears in the worst possible way.
The attack comes a week after I wrote to Auckland Transport to convey the concerns raised with me by a bus driver who was assaulted at work last month.
In that case, it took 40 minutes for police to arrive, and even at that point no medical aid was provided. I was concerned to learn there was no first aid kit available on the bus, and Auckland Transport drivers do not receive first aid training.
While I cannot speak to the circumstances of yesterday’s attack, I believe Auckland Transport can take steps to improve safety for bus drivers and passengers alike.
The Government is progressing changes to the Sentencing Act and bringing back Three Strikes to deliver tougher sentences for serious crimes. But more needs to be done to ensure safety on public transport, including at the local level.
In the meantime, my hope is that the police apprehend the attacker as soon as possible and that justice is delivered swiftly.
Tom Dillane
Police press release on fatal stabbing
Tom Dillane
The charges of resisting and obstructing a police officer in Auckland last week laid against Kael Leona, the man now sought for yesterday's killing aboard a bus in Onehunga, was far from his first brush with the law in recent years.
It is understood he is subject to prison release conditions, meaning he would have had to report to a probation officer regularly.
A little over two weeks ago he was in court on a charge of breaching those release conditions and it appears he was granted bail on that charge.
He was charged last year with threatening to kill or do grievous bodily harm by stabbing, and with doing a threatening act. Leona was up for sentence on those charges in May this year.
Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a woman in Onehunga yesterday.
Auckland City Relieving District Crime Manager Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson, says Police were notified of an incident onboard a bus travelling through Onehunga at about 2.30pm.
“Police received a report that a person had been stabbed on a number 74 bus and upon arrival, a woman was located with multiple wounds.
“Tragically, despite the best efforts of medical personnel and members of the public, she died at the scene.
“Our thoughts are with her whānau at this time, and we are doing everything we can to support them.”
Acting Detective Inspector Robertson says Police are making urgent enquiries to locate the offender and have identified a person of interest.
“Our teams have been working through the night to find this person, who we believe is responsible for killing this woman.
“We are following positive lines of enquiry and have been speaking to a number of people who have been assisting us in attempting to track him.”
Acting Detective Inspector Robertson says Police are now seeking the public’s assistance to locate Kael Leona, who was last seen in the Mount Wellington area.
Mr Leona is in his late 30s and was last seen wearing dark coloured pants, a black jumper with white writing on the front and white shoes.
He also had a green t-shirt on his head and was carrying a black backpack.
“We are now appealing to the public for any information on the whereabouts of Mr Leona.
“We advise he is not be approached and anyone who sees this man is urged to contact Police immediately via 111.”
She says the investigation is still in the early stages and Police are working to understand why the victim was the target for this attack.
“We know the community will be understandably alarmed by what has occurred, and we are doing everything we can to locate this person and hold them to account.”
An increased Police presence will remain in the Onehunga and Mount Wellington areas today while further enquiries are carried out.
A post-mortem examination and formal identification of the victim will be carried out over the coming days.
Anyone with information regarding Mr Leona’s whereabouts is urged to contact Police on 111.
Information can also be provided to Police by making an online report at 105.police.govt.nz using “Update Report” or by calling 105.
Please reference the file number 241023/8926.
Suspect was due to appear in court today
Tom Dillane
Charging documents show Kael Leona was set to appear in the Auckland District Court today accused of resisting and intentionally obstructing a policeman on October 18 in Auckland.
The 37-year-old is listed in court documents as living at a unit in Onehunga.
Tom Dillane
Victim's family being supported by police
Tom Dillane
Robertson said the victim's family were being supported.
"It's the worst thing that could happen to anyone, hence why we're working so hard to bring this person to justice."
'Keep your situational awareness up'
Tom Dillane
Recovery of the weapon was a part of the investigation going forward, Robertson said.
The bus was moving at the time of the attack.
She said police had been assisted in the inquiry by members of the public, and the man’s family.
"Keep your situational awareness up ... if you see something that makes you feel unsafe or gets your suspicions up ... please contact police," Robertson urged.
A dedicated team had been working very hard all through the night to bring reassurance and safety to the public.
Roberton said the man was believed to still be in Auckland, and lines of inquiry were leading police to East Auckland.
Police release picture of man they are searching for
Tom Dillane
Victim was unknown to the man
Tom Dillane
Robertson said police were working to understand why the woman was the victim of this attack.
She said the man was not previously wanted for violent crimes. It appears the victim was unknown to the man, and police were working to find out why this happened to this person, Robertson said.
They were travelling on the bus near each other for some time.
She said she was not aware of any altercation on the bus.
The man was known to police, and they were looking at his history to understand what led to the attack.
Police identify a person of interest
Tom Dillane
Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson said police have now launched a homicide investigation. She said police received the report about 2.31pm.
Upon arriving at the scene, they located a woman with multiple stab wounds.
Robertson said police had identified a person of interest.
Kael Austin Leona was last seen in the area wearing a dark jumper with shoes, he had a green t-shirt on his head and was carrying a black pack, Robertson said.
The public were advised not to approach the man.
Police front media on Onehunga bus attack
Tom Dillane
Police will hold a stand up this morning in relation to the bus attack in Onehunga yesterday afternoon.
Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson will speak to media at College Hill Police Station at 10.30am.
Meredith said police called her on Thursday afternoon to update her about the case.
”This is a huge relief for the community,” she said.
Meredith said some families had not sent their children to school on Thursday out of fears the alleged offender was on the run in the area.
Robertson earlier said it was understood the victim was unknown to the alleged attacker.
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward councillor Josephine Bartley told the Herald this morning the police hunt for the offender was ongoing.
Armed police descended on Moana Ave in Onehunga last night, not far from the scene of the bus stabbing.
They cordoned off both sides of a house, with detectives seen entering the driveway of a home and questioning neighbours.
Police would not confirm this morning if the two incidents were related.
Bartley said: “I think ultimately the best reassurance our communities can get is that the police catch this person as soon as possible.”
She said Superintendent Scott Gemmell told her this morning police had “strong leads”.
“They will update me as soon as they find this person.”
She said Auckland Transport had given footage of the attack to police.
Emergency services, including Hato Hone St John, responded to the Church St, Onehunga, stabbing.
Shortly before 6pm, police confirmed the victim - a passenger - had died.
Speaking from the scene, police Inspector Danny Meade told the Herald one person had fled after the stabbing.
“We’re working incredibly hard to try to locate this offender; somewhere in the local area, we think.”
Minister of Transport and Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said he was “disgusted by the cowardly and horrific incident”.
“All New Zealanders deserve to be safe from harm when using public transport.”
Police Minister Mark Mitchell took to social media last night, calling the incident a “senseless homicide”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim,” Mitchell said.
“This gratuitous violence has no place in our communities.”
Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.
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