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Police have arrested a 21-year-old man in relation to the death of an Auckland man who was fatally stabbed in Mt Wellington on Friday afternoon, December 5.
The man has been charged with murder and additional offences and is due to appear in the Auckland District Court on Monday. Police say they are still searching for others involved in the homicide.
The victim arrived at a medical centre on Lunn Avenue around 12.15pm on Friday after sustaining critical injuries in an altercation on Harris Road.
He was attacked with a sharp object before managing to leave the scene and seek medical help. Despite the efforts of staff, he died later that afternoon at Auckland City Hospital.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard, of Auckland City CIB, says the investigation team has worked long hours since the incident.
“While one person has been arrested, the team are committed to hold all involved to account,” he says.
Police are carrying out extensive area inquiries on Harris Road, where the attack occurred, and on Laud Avenue in Ellerslie, where a blue Nissan March believed to be involved was located. Beard says CCTV analysis will form a large part of the investigation, and forensic examinations have been carried out at multiple scenes.
“The violence, especially at that time of day, is concerning, and we’ve dedicated a large number of resources to the investigation in order to track down those responsible,” he says.
Beard says detectives cannot comment on some aspects for operational reasons but stressed that officers are “pursuing every lead available”.
“I know members of the community have a lot of questions about what happened and why, and we’re working as hard as we can to get those answers.”
In an earlier statement issued on Friday, Beard said police had established that the victim was involved in an altercation with occupants of a hatchback vehicle on Harris Road shortly before he was wounded.
“During this altercation the victim has sustained stabbing injuries, before both parties left the scene,” he said. “The victim later presented at the medical centre with his injuries.”
Police had cordoned off two scenes and said Mt Wellington residents would see an increased police presence in the coming days.
Detectives are urging anyone who saw Friday’s events, or who may have dashcam footage from Harris Road or Laud Avenue around midday, to contact police.
Information can be provided online or via 105 using reference number 251205/6107, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
