One dead in Auckland shooting

Police at the scene of a cordon on Mayoral Drive overlooking Myers Park. Photo: NZ Herald
Police at the scene of a cordon on Mayoral Drive overlooking Myers Park. Photo: NZ Herald
Myers Park in Central Auckland remains in lockdown tonight following a shooting that has left one man dead.

Police say a homicide investigation has begun and witnesses are being spoken to following the shooting, which happened at 7.45pm.

The deceased, a man, remains at the park, which is closed to the public, and will remain so until a scene examination is completed.

Witnesses have told the Herald they heard numerous gunshots just before 8pm and saw what appeared to be a body covered by a white sheet. A hearse has since arrived and a man was seen carrying a black body bag into the park at about 9.30pm.

Lauren Winthrop, 19, who lives in a Queen Street apartment opposite the park, told the Herald she was watching television with her sister when they heard up to five "really loud gunshots".

"We looked outside and saw lots of police cars rushing to the scene."

The women went outside and saw police walking through the park flashing torches around.

At one stage they saw a white sheet on the ground that looked like it was covering a body. A police officer was standing nearby.

Several blue tarpaulins were then brought in to cover it up.

A woman, who lives with her partner in the Volt Apartments just across from the park, said she heard four gunshots come from the park earlier tonight.

"We went outside on our balcony because we thought it had been in the street but didn't see anything so went back inside."

"Police, ambulances, and a fire engine arrived fast afterward. From our viewpoint from our apartment, we saw four police officers walking in a line through the park, and caution tape was soon put up."

She said an ambulance left the scene without taking anyone away. No lights or sirens were on as it left but what looks like a hearse arrived soon after and a man carried a body bag into the park.

Another man told the Herald he heard what sounded like five or six shots being fired from within the park.

Hidayat Kokate, owner of Greys Ave Superette which borders Myers Park, said he heard a loud sound about 30 to 45 minutes ago.

He said a customer in the store at the time described it as sounding like a gunshot.

Twitter user Dion Henare said he heard what sounded like four gunshots.

He said ambulances were focused around the grass at the northern end of the park.

Rachel Dobric tweeted there were "loud noises" in Myers Park followed closely by "sirens, helicopters and now police running with flashlights".

She heard the noises from an apartment on Greys Ave, which backs onto the park.

Ms Dobric posted an image of a message that was taped to the inside door of her building which said: "If concerned about shots, police have advised that 'no one is still running around' - so essentially the incident is under control."

Twitter user Melanie Webber said there were three gunshots. Police then arrived by car and ran in the Greys Ave entrance of the park.

"One later ran out for first aid kit."

Ms Webber said on Twitter she was "pretty sure police were in park when it happened - saw a policewoman on the street a few minutes before the shots".

Mr Henare agreed, adding there were lots of police in the park "seconds after the shots".

A group staying at the Amora Hotel, which also backs on to the park, said they heard two loud bangs while in their room.

Now on the street wanting to see what is happening, one member of the group said he thought the bang sounded like a firework.

They all did not think much of it at the time, but said it was loud enough for them to hear it over their TV.

A number of police cars and ambulances are now parked on the Mayoral Drive over-bridge, which borders the park, with their lights flashing.

A group of police are also gathered at the entrance to the park behind the cordon.

An emergency lighting and power unit from the Fire Service is at the scene, as well as at least seven police cars.

Police have cordoned off a section of the side walk and are refusing to give any details about what's going on.

A St John spokeswoman confirmed ambulances had been called to the scene, but said nobody had been transported to hospital.

She referred further inquiries to police.

 

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