Police have confirmed they have charged a man with four counts of attempted murder following a stabbing rampage in a central Dunedin supermarket yesterday.
This morning police said the man was released from hospital last night and moved to Dunedin Central Police Station.
"He is scheduled to appear in the Dunedin District Court today on four counts of attempted murder."
Enquiries at the scene will resume this morning.
Three of the people injured in the attack were in serious but stable conditions, while a fourth person was in a moderate condition, police confirmed.
Three people underwent surgery last night for serious injuries after the incident, while another person had also being treated for serious injuries.
This morning Countdown head of corporate affairs Kiri Hannifin told the AM Show two supermarket employees were recovering.
"We were very worried about them overnight but they are doing ok."
The emergency unfolded at Countdown Dunedin Central at 2.30pm when a man, in what police believed was a random attack, began stabbing staff members in the pharmacy area of the supermarket.
Those inside the supermarket at the time told the Otago Daily Times of hearing screams, seeing blood, and general chaos as they realised what was happening.
Last night, the alleged offender was being treated for minor injuries before being taken to the Dunedin Central Police Station, where charges were expected to be laid.
'PEOPLE WERE SCREAMING'
A couple, who asked not to be named, were shopping in the aisle next to the pharmacy.
"We just heard a scream and thought someone must’ve fallen, but it got louder and louder and more people were screaming," the woman said.
"I saw one red hand among the people; a bloody hand, and everybody started running towards the exits."
The man said brave members of the public had pinned down the stabber, but they believed he had wrestled his way free before police arrived.
"Some people ran to the aisle to see what was happening," she said.
"Then people were screaming that someone had a knife."
She had previously worked as a crisis worker, and stayed at the scene to offer support to anyone who needed it.
Another woman who was entering the supermarket at the time said she was confronted by two hysterical girls.
Another bystander grabbed them, thinking they were shoplifters, but they were followed by a stampede of shoppers.
"It was chaos," she said. "Unbelievable."
RANDOM ATTACK, POLICE BELIEVE
Southern District commander Superintendent Paul Basham said last night police received multiple calls to the supermarket, and police from the neighbouring central station were at the scene within minutes.
On arrival, they found four people with serious stab wounds, and the alleged offender, who had been detained by members of the public.
"This was a fast-moving and extremely traumatic event for every person in that supermarket — the victims who were injured, those present who tried to intervene and those who had to flee to a place of safety," he said.
He described the actions of those who restrained the man before police arrived as "nothing short of heroic".
He had watched CCTV footage of the incident, which was "quite traumatic".
"What I can say is those who intervened, some of who became injured themselves, I think have acted selflessly and with great courage to prevent this man from harming anybody else."
Police were in the early stages of their investigation, and were trying to determine a motive for the attack.
But they believed it was random, he said.
Police were compiling witness information and collecting CCTV footage.
The alleged offender could be seen with blood on his clothing as he was led away in handcuffs by police.
It was unclear last night if the man was armed when he entered the store.
It was likely the man would be initially charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, Supt Basham said.
More serious charges could follow.
Anyone with information, including video footage of the incident, was asked to contact police.
STAFF IN SHOCK
Countdown staff members were visibly shaken and upset as they gathered outside the store, waiting for news and giving their accounts of the incident to police.
Countdown managing director Spencer Sonn said they were shocked after the attack.
"Our priority right now is our injured team members and caring for our wider team in the wake of this extremely traumatic event.
"We are deeply upset that customers who tried to help our team members were also injured," he said.
"We have been concerned about the escalating violence towards our team, and this is something we have continued to talk and raise as an issue over the last year.
"Our amazing team comes to work to serve Kiwis every day, and our customers visit our stores knowing that they will be safe.
"We are heartbroken that this wasn’t the case today."
The store would remain closed today while a detailed scene examination was carried out by police.
LEADERS REACT
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addressed the incident at her post-Cabinet media conference yesterday.
There had been nothing to suggest it was a domestic terror event, she said.
"Needless to say such an attack is hugely concerning and I do want to acknowledge the really early reports of courageous acts by bystanders who have taken action in order to protect those around them.
"Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this attack."
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins learned of the events from news alerts during a council 10-year plan hearing.
He was deeply shocked by what had happened.
"Nobody should feel like they should be hurt in their place of work, or doing everyday errands like grocery shopping.
"But the most chilling thing about this is it could have been any of us, or our families. That is the most distressing thing about it at this point."
