Police have charged a man with murder after a homicide in east Auckland on Boxing Day last year.
Emergency services were called to Bezar Place in Flat Bush at about 1.15am on December 26 when a resident called 111 to report they could hear a person in distress at a nearby home followed by the sound of gunshots.
Police, including members of the armed offender squad (AOS), were dispatched to the area.
Cordons were erected to ensure no further risk to locals and people in neighbouring addresses were advised to stay indoors.
Officers approached a home in Bezar Place on foot and could see several people inside the property.
AOS members gained entry to the home through a window and brought out several occupants, including a child, all of whom were unharmed.
The police’s negotiation team made contact with a 38-year-old man inside the property and continued to talk to him overnight.
He surrendered to police just after 8am on Boxing Day and was taken into custody without further incident.
Police then located the body of another man inside the property and launched a homicide investigation.
“We want to acknowledge the distress this incident has caused for those in the Flat Bush area who were affected,” police said at the time.
“This is not something you expect in a residential area after a day of Christmas celebrations.
“I want to acknowledge the bravery demonstrated by the officers who went into the home and brought the occupants to safety.”
Several vehicles, including a van and ute, were parked in the property’s driveway when the Times visited the scene the day of the incident.
A large black motorcycle was parked at the entrance of the driveway.
An upstairs window at the two-storey home, through which several of its occupants had escaped with the help of police, was wide open.
Numerous armed officers remained in the area throughout the day while a scene examination was carried out.
The arrested man appeared in the Manukau District Court on December 27 charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.
Counties Manukau Police detective inspector Tofilau Fa’amanuia Va’aelua told the Times police have laid additional charges as part of a homicide investigation into the death of Petau Petau in Bezar Place on Boxing Day.
“A 38-year-old man previously charged with a firearms offence is now facing three additional charges,” he says.
“He has been charged with the murder of Petau Petau, as well as possession for supply of methamphetamine and possession of cocaine.
“Police are not currently seeking anyone else in relation to this investigation and given matters are before the court we are limited in any further comment at this stage.”
