‘I was so terrified I couldn’t move’
Horrified motorist believes window shot out in racially motivated road rage attack
An Auckland commuter who believes his car was fired at by an enraged driver says he is fearful for his life. Dilpreet Singh, a 19-year-old from India, believes he was targeted in a racist attack because his vehicle has Punjabi words written on the back.
He left his South Auckland home for work yesterday morning in a laidback mood, but within minutes he was paralysed with fear and unable to move.
Singh turned left from Kerrykeel Drive on to Murphys Rd in Flat Bush and said he soon found himself being pursued at speed by another vehicle.
“I was going to work . . . at about 8.45am, when I saw someone driving about 120km/h coming up behind me. I thought he was going to ram the car.”
As the two vehicles approached the Murphys Rd-Ormiston Rd intersection, Singh said the other driver began flashing his lights, swearing and pulling the middle finger at him.
“I chose to ignore him but then I heard a loud bang,” he said.
“I looked around to see if there had been an accident or something.
“The next minute I heard a second bang and saw a gun in his hand and my window shattered completely.”
Singh said the moment the lights went green he drove to the other side of the intersection and pulled over.
“I was so terrified I couldn’t move, I was shivering,” he said. “I called my brother and [he said call the] police.”
A police spokesperson confirmed they were called to the incident about 9am yesterday.
“A male had the rear window of his vehicle broken by another party,” the spokesperson said. “Another male fled the scene in a vehicle described as a silver Hyundai i30.”
Though Singh believed he had been shot at, police said there was no evidence at this stage to suggest a firearm was involved.
The alleged offender is described as a Pacific Islander or Maori male, of strong build, with no facial hair, wearing a black hat and black coat.
Singh, who moved to New Zealand from India just over a year ago, said the event left him feeling helpless and too afraid to leave his home.
“I believe I was a target of racism because on the back of my car I have . . . my last name written in Punjabi. I think he must have seen that and was angry.
“I plan to take a few days off work because I don’t feel mentally stable enough to go to work.”
He said he hoped police would take his report seriously.
“I just want [all immigrants] to feel like they are safe here.”
Police asked for anyone who witnessed the incident or had information to call Constable Kevin Sun from Ormiston Police on 09 250 2800.