Man shot by officers after firing at police in Henderson has died – confirmed

The armed man shot by police after fleeing an attempted robbery at a petrol station in west Auckland has died, police say.

The man underwent surgery at Auckland City hospital on Friday afternoon following the incident, and later died.

“Police have been locating and notifying the man’s next of kin,” a spokesperson said in a statement on Friday evening.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday afternoon, Waitematā district commander superintendent Naila Hassan called the incident an “inexcusable act of violence”.

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The man fired at police “at least seven times in a short 15 or 20-minute period” and showed “zero regard for the safety of police staff”, Hassan said.

“Police fired back on more than one occasion,” she said.

In a statement issued after the press conference, Hassan said members of the Armed Offenders Squad (AOS) approached the man and challenged him to put down his firearm.

However, “he continued to brandish it”, which is when AOS shot the man.

Hassan said: “There may have also been occasions where the man discharged his firearm towards members of the public.”

Hassan praised the “bravery, courage and tenacity” of responders and said she was grateful that no members of the public or police officers were seriously injured in the incident.

During the press conference Hassan said there were at least “four or five” scenes across west Auckland, but police were still in the process of “putting things together”.

The man in relation to the incident was in his mid-20s and known to police, with active charges against him relating to violence and drugs.

Police believe he was acting alone, but say he caused “a lot of havoc”.

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One police officer received minor injuries when undertaking evasive action to avoid the man.

Officers had pursued the man from a Gull petrol station in Henderson Valley and “multiple” shots were fired at police, Waitematā district commander superintendent Naila Hassan said.

A witness described a noise “like firecrackers” as she drove up to an intersection blocked by police.

The pursuit ended at Henderson Police Station, where the man got out of his vehicle holding a gun and refused to engage with officers.

“On multiple occasions this man has fired shots at police,” Hassan said.

“He has driven to the Henderson Police Station where he has exited his vehicle holding a firearm and was challenged by armed police staff.

“The man did not engage with police but was shot by officers.” First aid was provided to the man.

Hanlen Seupule, who lives near the scene, said she saw two men sprinting past the police station, then heard a gunshot.

“At first I didn’t think anything off it. One second and then, boom.

“The police cars came past. I knew something was happening,” she said.

Seupule did not see who was shot and quickly headed back inside.

“It all happened so fast,” she said.

The incident began unfolding after 10am.

Armed police were posted at the bottom of Sel Peacock Drive, near Henderson Police Station.

Christina Houghton said she was driving home from work through the intersection of Waikumete Rd and Hepburn when six police cars blocked off the intersection.

As Houghton began to hear a noise like firecrackers, the officers moved behind their cars, she said.

“It sounded like firecrackers, but it was bullets coming from a car up Waikumete.”

Houghton said she Iay across the front passengers seat to keep herself safe.

Another local said she saw about 20 police cars rush past her apartment between about 10.20am and 10.30am.

“We heard the sirens first and then saw the police with guns.

“There were cops with guns right outside our window, that’s when I knew something serious was going on.”

She said she’d never seen anything like this before.

“It was very scary,” she said.

A Gull petrol station spokesperson said the man had targeted the ATM within the Night’n Day shop at the station.

On Friday evening, police said they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Friday’s events.

“Police will release further details about the man in due course, once all procedures have been completed.

“We ask anyone who witnessed any of these incidents, and who has not spoken to police yet, to call our 105 service quoting file number 230317/3304.”