Man dies after being shot by police near Pohuehue, north Auckland
Saturday, 31 March 2018
A 29-year-old man who was fatally shot by police on Saturday morning on State Highway 1, north Auckland was threatening officers with a machete, police say.
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Police blocked off a 28km stretch of the highway after the shooting, and drivers heading away for Easter were warned to expect long delays. The road was finally re-opened at 3.55pm.
At a media stand-up on Saturday afternoon, police superintendent Tusha Penny said police were called to Onehunga about 3.10am after a woman called 111 to report a man, who she knew, acting erratically.
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Police rushed to the scene, but the man had gone from the address, Penny said.
About 20 minutes later, a rural police officer noticed a car parked on the side of the highway with its hazard lights on.
The officer pulled in behind the car, but it drove off, then stopped again shortly after, Penny said.
The driver then got out of the vehicle, 'wielding a machete and threatening the police officer at the door of his car'.
Penny said the officer retreated and additional police officers and the Eagle helicopter were called in. The man fled, driving at speeds of up to 150kmh, at times with his lights off.
His car was spiked about 3.50am near Pohuehue, and the man got out of the car and came towards officers with the machete.
Police fired shots as he came towards them, and he fell to the ground.
Officers provided immediate first aid but the man died at the scene from his injuries.
He is the 17th person to be fatally shot by police since 2007, and the ninth in the past three years.
Penny said the man was from east Auckland, but police would not be releasing his name until formal identification had taken place.
She said police 'believe there is potential' the man suffered from mental health issues, 'but we really can't confirm anything at this stage'.
The officers involved had not been stood down, and would be supported by the police, she said.
'This is a tragedy. No police officer throughout the country comes to work and wants this situation to unfold.
'This is the worst case situation for any of our police officers.'
Police have launched two investigations into the shooting – one criminal investigation and one into the policies and procedures surrounding the incident.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) would also investigate.
The matter has also been referred to the Coroner.
Police Minister Stuart Nash said Police Commissioner Mike Bush had briefed him on the incident.
'Until we know the full circumstances of the event I will refrain from further comment,' he said.
'My sympathies and condolences go out to the young man's family.'
Nash said the shooting would have a lasting impact on the officers and other emergency services personnel involved.
'We trust police to make the best decisions in extreme situations and the effects of their actions will stay with them,' he said.
'I encourage the officers and other staff to take advantage of all the support and assistance available to them to help deal with this shooting.'
Residents of Pohuehue's Pukapuka Rd said they heard the police helicopter circling overheard from about 3am.
A Warkworth resident said she was woken up at 4am because the noise was so loud.
One resident, who did not want to be named, said he believed the helicopter headed north toward Schollum Access Rd by 4am.
SH1 was closed between Silverdale and Woodcocks Rd in Warkworth, and only patrol cars and a vehicle containing forensic specialists were being let through the cordon.
An officer at the cordon just outside Puhoi said the body had not yet been removed.
An employee at the Honey Centre in Warkworth said she was allowed through the cordon to complete stocktake on Saturday morning, but others were turned away.
The following diversions were in place:
- Southbound traffic - there was a diversion at Woodcocks Rd, where traffic was being diverted on to SH16
- Northbound traffic - there was a diversion in place at Silverdale, where traffic was being diverted to Kahikatea Flat Rd, through to SH16.
SHOOTING INQUIRY
In late 2017, a Stuff special investigation found the number of people killed or wounded by police gunfire in the past decade has spiked, with 35 people shot.
That compares to the 42 people shot in the 100 years prior to 2007.
Where they once had to get permission to sign out a firearm from the station, all frontline police staff now have a Glock and an M4 in the boots of their cars and can strap them on at their own discretion.
In January 2017, then-Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) chairman Sir David Carruthers announced a special inquiry into the recent spate of shootings, saying they were a concern 'for all thinking New Zealanders' and the authority wanted to ensure force was used within well-understood limits.
But the new chair, Judge Colin Doherty, now says the investigation is focusing on whether enough is being done to control the availability of firearms, rather than how police are using them.
A report is not expected until late 2018.
A recent Police Association survey found a 38 per cent increase in the number of staff who'd been threatened with a firearm, compared to two years ago.
Of frontline staff, 21 per cent reported being threatened with a gun – 40 per cent of those more than once.
Police Association vice-president Marcia Murray said on Saturday she was not prepared to comment on the incident.
'We just need to wait until it's fully investigated and see what the outcome of that is.
'We are providing our support to the officers involved.'
DRIVERS WARNED TO EXPECT DELAYS
The highway was re-opened at 3.55pm after a day of gridlock and congestion.
'We would like to once again thank the public for their patience and acknowledge the significant delays it has caused to them,' police said in a statement.
Earlier, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) said SH16 was the only alternative route for north-south traffic, and there was no north-south access via the Hibiscus Coast Highway or east coast roads.
Motorists were urged to leave SH1 at Silverdale or Warkworth to SH16.
The closure came as thousands were expected to hit the roads to get away for the long weekend.
Thousands were also expected to travel to Matakana Country Park on Saturday afternoon for a Shapeshifter, Kora and Ladi6 concert.
More than 2500 people were 'attending' the event on Facebook.
'Our historical data for Easter holiday travel suggests traffic heading north will get heavy from 10am and be very heavy from midday,' the NZTA's Auckland transport operations centre manager Rua Pani said.
'State Highway 16 is not designed for that volume of traffic so there will be congestion and delays.
'If your travel . . . is not essential, please delay your journey until State Highway 1 is reopened.'
Pani said those who had to travel should be aware the SH16 route would take longer than usual.
'Drivers should take extra care and allow extra time for their journey.
'We understand the inconvenience this will cause for road users and the significant impact it may have on Easter congestion.'
Drivers can get real-time information by calling 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49) or by going to www.nzta.govt.nz/traffic.