Wed 8 June 2022, Newlands, Wellington NZ. A man has died after being shot by police in Newlands, Wellington while responding to a domestic violence incident just before 3pm on Tuesday afternoon (NZ time).
In a press conference Acting Wellington District Commander Inspector Tracey Thompson told media that upon arrival, police were confronted with a situation where a man was threatening victims – a woman and a young child.
Police staff made unsuccessful voice appeals to the man who made threats to police, and attempted to barricade himself inside the house with the woman, while the child had managed to escape.
According to police, they were able to sight the man from outside the property, holding a knife up against the victims throat.
“Police fired multiple shots at the man, critically injuring him,” said Thompson. “Officers immediately rendered medical attention to the man and requested ambulance assistance, however the man died a short time later.”
Police said the woman at the address was found with non life threatening injuries and was treated at the scene by ambulance staff. Police say the young person was not physically injured, and support would be provided to the victims.
“We understand this will be a shock to the community and we want to reassure them that there is no ongoing risk,” Inspector Thompson said.
She added there will be an increased police presence in the area in the coming days as police conduct a scene examination and make enquiries.
“This will also have a huge impact on the officers involved, and we will be providing them with support.”
Thompson confirmed that the man shot has gang relations but did not give any more details. The New Zealand Herald reports the man was a father of six who was associated with the King Cobras gang, “but not a fully patched member” according to a lifelong friend.
Patched King Cobra gang members surrounded the police cordon at the scene of the fatal shooting yesterday. Police did engage but said any tensions that rose were resolved last night.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority will be notified and a Critical Incident Investigation is underway.
