Auckland police shooting: Man charged with murder after Massey shooting

Friday, 19 June 2020

A police officer was killed during a routine traffic stop on Friday morning.

A 24-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder after the fatal shooting of a police officer in Auckland.

A police officer was shot and killed carrying out a routine traffic stop in the suburb of Massey on Friday morning, in an incident that seriously injured another officer and a member of the public.

Police Commissioner Andrew Coster and Waitemata Superintendent Naila Hassan speak to media after one officer was killed and another injured in West Auckland.

A man was arrested late on Friday night, and charged with multiple serious offences including murder, attempted murder and dangerous driving causing injury, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said.

The accused would appear in the Waitākere District Court on Saturday.

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A bouquet of flowers at the scene on Reynella Dr in Massey.

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Commissioner Andrew Coster and Waitematā Superintendent Naila Hassan at a sombre press conference on Friday afternoon after a police officer was killed and another seriously wounded on the job.

The incident unfolded when the officers attempted to stop a vehicle of interest, about 10.30am.

They lost sight of the car but found it crashed on Reynella Dr.

As police approached, a man armed with a long-barrelled firearm shot at the unarmed officers.

The New Zealand flag flies at half-mast at the Waitākere Police Station on Friday afternoon, after what the Police Minister described as a 'tragic day'.

One was killed and the other was shot in the leg. He was taken to Auckland City Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

The shooter and his accomplice fled in a second vehicle, that was later found abandoned with no sign of the pair.

Earlier on Friday evening, Coster advised police were speaking with two 'people of interest', but did not confirm whether those being spoken to were those who shot at police.

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and police were not able to rule out the possibility of further charges being laid, Coster said.

The other injured officer and the member of the public remain in hospital in a serious but stable condition, Coster said.

Coster said 'our thoughts are with the family of the slain police officer, and are we continuing to ensure they are provided with all possible support.'

The officer's death has left the police community reeling.

Minister of Police Stuart Nash earlier said the officer who died 'dedicated his career to keeping us safe'.

'This is a tragic day for our police family.'

Police Association President Chris Cahill said though being a police officer was a risky job, they do so with the expectation they will return home at the end of their shift.

'It is an absolute tragedy that the very people who run towards danger to keep us all safe, can end up paying the ultimate price in the line of duty,' he said.

Police would not be in a position to confirm the identity of the police officer until Saturday at the earliest, Coster said.