A pensioner who was near to the scene of the brutal fatal shooting of a neighbour on Monday morning is feeling frightened.
The Times has spoken with residents of Marvon Downs Avenue, in Pakuranga Heights, to hear how they feel after the death of a Tongan grandfather who was shot while driving a Post Haste courier van on August 19.
The pensioner, a woman in her 70s who does not want to be named, is a “long-time” resident.
“It was us who rang the cops and ambulance,” the elderly woman told the Times today, sitting outside her front door looking out on the avenue.
A family member of the woman was first to the scene, running to where the van and injured victim of the shooting was, she says.
The tragic incident happened just before 7am at the intersection of Marvon Downs Ave and Pixie Place.
The victim was attended to by St John Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.
The incident was also attended by the Police, “about 40 cops”, the pensioner says.
News media have named the victim of the fatal shooting as Saia Kokohu Vi.
The woman neighbour told the Times today: “Everyone’s still shook up about it now.
“It’s just shock. Absolute horror. It really makes you nervous. It’s horrible.”
The pensioner says she heard the gunshots, five in quick succession.
“He [the victim] was a nice guy. I’ve known him for 25 years.
“It’s very unnerving. Everyone’s talking about it. Everyone’s pulling together. All of this community, we look after each other.”
As the Times approached the elderly woman to talk with her, a younger female neighbour was just leaving after checking in on the pensioner.
The pensioner says she’s now struggling to rest comfortably after Monday’s tragedy.
“I can’t sleep. I jump when I hear every little noise.”
On Wednesday morning as the Times walked in Marvon Downs Ave, it was quiet and peaceful as people went about their daily business and cats wandered on the footpaths.
Another woman in her 30s who the Times talked with and also doesn’t want to be named, says she’s given her statement to the Police, who have been interviewing residents.
“I was leaving for work at about 6.40am. I heard the shots.”
The mother of two children adds: “It does seem very weird.
“I’m not worried at all, because I’ve got nothing to do with it. I feel safe, not worried.”
The woman also pointed out there are still small fragments of glass on the road from the van windscreen that shattered from the gun blasts.
“I would have thought they would have swept up all of the glass.”
The Times has contacted the police today and they say their investigation is continuing.
The post-mortem examination has been completed and formal identification of the victim is still being carried out.
On Tuesday, Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers, of Counties Manukau CIB, said: “Police enquiries remain ongoing. We continue to speak to witnesses and those providing information as we piece together what has occurred.
“The community can also expect to see an increased police presence in the Pakuranga Heights area throughout the next few days.”
Vickers said enquiries to locate the persons believed to be responsible are ongoing.
“As part of our investigation, we are seeking any dashcam or CCTV footage from around the area that may assist.”
The investigation team wants to hear from anyone who has footage, and was travelling between 5.30am-7.30am on Monday, August 19, in Pakuranga Heights.
Specifically, police want to hear from anyone who was travelling on Cascades Road, Archmillen Avenue, Hope Farm Avenue or Marvon Downs Ave between those times, Vickers says.
“We would like to thank those people who have spoken to us already, and encourage anyone who has any information, no matter how small, to get in touch with our team.”
People who were in the relevant area and have photos or videos which may be relevant can upload them online at https://block.nc3.govt.nz/(link is external)
Anyone with information can contact police via their 105 phone service or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105, referencing file number 240819/5586.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
