Police say they’re continuing to follow several lines of enquiry in the homicide investigation launched in St Johns during Easter Weekend.

Detectives have been working over recent days to piece together the violent events that unfolded on Saturday night, April 19.

Police say they’ve had several members of the public come forward with information.

Police are now appealing for witnesses in a vehicle to come forward in the investigation.

Detective inspector Glenn Baldwin says Auckland Police are seeking the driver of a white Toyota ute, who may have been cut off by a vehicle carrying the offenders.

Baldwin says it has been established that prior to the fatal attack, a dark-coloured SUV turned around further down St Johns Road in east Auckland at around 9.51pm.

“While doing so, a member of the public has had to bring their vehicle to an abrupt stop.

“This vehicle was a white Toyota ute with a black sports bar attached on the back, heading in a westerly direction towards the Meadowbank shops from College Rd.

“I would like to stress that the occupants of this white ute are witnesses, and they’re not involved in the homicide.

“I’m confident that someone will remember being cut off while they drove along St Johns Rd,” Baldwin says.

“I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation.”

Meanwhile, Auckland Police says they’re still piecing together the victim’s movements throughout Saturday.

Police said yesterday, April 21, the victim is a 33-year-old Caucasian man, and “efforts continue to formally identify the man”.

The investigators can confirm the victim had purchased items from a nearby supermarket at around 9.40pm, Baldwin says.

The victim then walked on foot to the bus shelter on St Johns Rd, about 400 metres away, before the assault occurred just before 10pm.

“The victim was subjected to a senseless attack, leaving him with multiple head injuries,” Baldwin says.

“No one should be subjected to the appalling level of violence that the victim suffered on Saturday night.

“As yet, the weapon used in the assault has not been located.”

Baldwin says the police are keeping an open mind about why the attack occurred.

“We’ve had a number of people contact us in recent days with information, and the investigation team are working through this with some urgency.

“I acknowledge them for coming forward, and I continue to ask anyone with additional information to get in touch.”

Baldwin says they’re not yet in a position to formally release the victim’s name.

“We’re still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas.

“The family are still in the process of notifying loved ones of what has occurred.

“It’s the news no one should have to receive, so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today.”

Police would still like any information on a black SUV that was at the scene and left at speed following the fatal attack.

“This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter, with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle,” Baldwin says.

“There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time, and this is forming part of the investigation.”

The vehicle fled the scene at speed towards College Rd, he says.

• Anyone who saw the black SUV vehicle around the St Johns area on Saturday night is asked to contact the police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on free phone 0800 555 111.
• For earlier Times stories on the St Johns homicide on April 19, read:

https://www.times.co.nz/news/homicide-in-st-johns-police-urgently-seek-publics-help/

https://www.times.co.nz/news/man-dies-after-assault-at-auckland-bus-stop/