St Johns homicide: Police seek witnesses in a white ute

The Team from Counties Manukau Police

Police are continuing to follow several lines of enquiry in the homicide investigation launched in St Johns during Easter Weekend. Detectives have been working over recent days to piece together the violent events that unfolded on the night of 19 April.

Police have had several members of the public come forward with information. Today, Police are appealing for witnesses in a vehicle to come forward in the investigation.

Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin says Police are seeking the driver of a white Toyota ute who may have been cut off by a vehicle carrying the offenders.

It has been established that prior to the fatal attack, the dark coloured SUV turned around further down St Johns Road at around 9.51pm.

“While doing so, a member of the public has had to bring their vehicle to an abrupt stop,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“This vehicle was a white Toyota ute with a black sports bar attached on the back, heading in a westerly direction towards the Meadowbank Shops from College Road.

“I would like to stress that the occupants of this white ute are witnesses, and they are not involved in the homicide.”

Police urge those occupants to come forward.

“I’m confident that someone will remember being cut off while they drove along St Johns Road,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation.”

Investigation continues:
Meanwhile, Police are still piecing together the victim’s movements throughout Saturday.

Police can confirm the victim had purchased items from a nearby supermarket at around 9.40pm.

He then walked on foot to the bus shelter on St Johns Road, about 400 metres away, before the assault occurred just before 10pm.

Detective Inspector Baldwin says: “The victim was subjected to a senseless attack, leaving him with multiple head injuries.

“No one should be subjected to the appalling level of violence that the victim suffered on Saturday night.

“As yet, the weapon used in the assault has not been located.”

Detective Inspector Baldwin says Police are keeping an open mind about why the attack occurred.

“We have had a number of people contact us in recent days with information, and the investigation team are working through this with some urgency.

“I acknowledge them for coming forward, and I continue to ask anyone with additional information to get in touch.”

The victim:
Police are not yet in a position to formally release the victim’s name.

“We are still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“The family are still in the process of notifying loved ones of what has occurred.

“It’s the news no one should have to receive, so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today.”

Police seeking sightings of vehicle of interest:
Police would still like any information on a black SUV that was at the scene and left at speed following the fatal attack.

“This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter, with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle,” Detective Inspector Baldwin says.

“There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time, and this is forming part of the investigation.”

The vehicle fled the scene at speed towards College Road.

Anyone who saw this vehicle around the St Johns area on Saturday night is asked to contact Police.

Please contact Police online or call 105 using the reference number 250419/9858.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.