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Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin, of Auckland City CIB has issued an update on an east Auckland homicide that occured on a bus.
In a media stand-up at Auckland City Police Hub at about 12.35pm today, he named the suspect of an overnight attack on two people; the man has now applied for interim name suppression.
Baldwin says the man is already known to police.
It comes as a homicide investigation is under way after two men were stabbed in separate attacks aboard an East Auckland bus last night, December 8, leaving one dead and another seriously injured.
Police say the man, who remains at large, carried out two unprovoked assaults on the number 76 bus travelling from Glen Innes towards Ōrākei. A major investigation team supported by the Armed Offenders Squad is searching for the man.
Baldwin says police were alerted by ambulance staff shortly after 8pm.
At this stage, investigators have established the offender boarded the bus on Apirana Avenue in Glen Innes at 7.53pm.
The first victim, a man in his 50s, boarded at 7.56pm and attempted to get off the bus two minutes later near Fenchurch Street.
“The only other passenger aboard initiated an attack on the victim before he could exit the bus,” Baldwin says.
The victim suffered a fatal knife wound but managed to flee the bus. He was transported to hospital and later died from his injuries.
The bus continued its route. At around 8.09pm, the second victim, a man in his 40s, boarded in the area of Coates Avenue and Kepa Road.
“A man aged in his 40s sat at the back of the bus where the offender moved towards him,” Baldwin says.
“The second unprovoked assault began when the offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus. The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim.”
The second victim escaped the bus along with another passenger and the bus driver. He was transported to Auckland City Hospital, where he is in a stable condition.
The offender fled on foot and has not been located.
Police have carried out scene examinations, and the bus has been secured for forensic analysis. CCTV footage from inside the bus has been reviewed.
“I’m appalled at the unprovoked violence used by this offender against two men who have done absolutely nothing wrong, and one has tragically and needlessly lost his life,” Baldwin says.
“Our investigation is still in its infancy, but we are committed to understanding the motive and exactly why such violence took place aboard a bus last night.”
Investigators ‘worked through the night’
In an update today, Baldwin says a 59-year-old man from East Auckland died in hospital last night after suffering a fatal knife wound.
“The second victim has undergone surgery on his hand today and remains in a serious but stable condition in Auckland City Hospital,” he says.
“Our investigators worked through the night to identify the offender, and I want to acknowledge their work in advancing this investigation.”
A search warrant, assisted by the Armed Offenders Squad, was carried this morning but the offender was not located and remains outstanding.
Late this morning, police obtained a warrant to arrest a man in his 30s.
He is wanted to arrest for murder and causing grievous bodily harm.
“I know many of you will be unsettled by these events but let me tell you our absolute priority right now is to locate [him] and take him into custody,” Baldwin says.
“The Operation Gyle team will continue searching for [him], assisted by the Armed Offenders Squad.
“There is no place in society for unprovoked and callous violence,” Baldwin says.
“Our victims last night did nothing wrong, and these horrific events unfolded in a short space of time
“Police is committed to understanding the motive and exactly why this violence took place.”
How the events unfolded
Baldwin says there were two young women who got off the bus after the first victim got off.
“We would like to identify and speak to those women,” he says.
“The offender saw no interest in them.”
He says the first victim phoned St John ambulance after being stabbed in the torso.
Baldwin says the driver of the bus is cooperating with police.
“The bus driver was interviewed last night and was really helpful.
“He would understandably be disturbed by what’s happened.”
Baldwin says it’s “really important we find this man [Pani] and get him into custody.”
But he urged the public not to approach Pani due to him being “dangerous” and armed.
“He is wanted for arrest for murder and causing grievous bodily harm. Pani should be considered dangerous and should not be approached.
“If you see him or have information about his whereabouts, please call 111, at the earliest opportunity, but do not approach him.”
Police enquiries are wide-ranging and they are also engaging with members of Pani’s family.
Efforts to locate him have not been successful and Baldwin says Pani needs to be “located and locked up”.
He said the bus driver got off the bus along with other passengers and then Pani got off and fled on foot. Baldwin said a police dog was deployed but the tracking was lost.
“It’s tragic and needless,” Baldwin says, of the unprovoked attacks.
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.
Information can be provided online or via 105, quoting reference 251208/7471 or Operation Gyle. Anonymous reports can be made through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
