Tangi today for gunman as staff head back to work

THE gunman shot and killed by police in Upper Hutt will be laid to rest in Petone today.

Pera Smiler, 25, will be remembered and farewelled at a tangi for whanau and friends at a marae in the Lower Hutt suburb.

As Smiler’s loved ones say goodbye, the McDonald’s staff he confronted with a rifle are getting back to serving customers.

Thirteen McDonald’s workers who came face-to-face with the armed man who entered their store have said they are ready to return to work, and all have been offered counselling.

When Smiler pulled out a highpowered rifle in Upper Hutt McDonald’s on Tuesday, he reportedly shot a bullet into the restaurant’s ceiling before telling terrified customers and staff to leave.

After he was shot dead by police, his body lay outside the restaurant under a police tent for more than 24 hours while the restaurant was cordoned off.

McDonald’s spokeswoman Kim Bartlett said yesterday: ‘‘Supporting his staff has been our Upper Hutt franchisee’s No 1 priority over the past few days.

‘‘This includes specialised trauma counselling which is available for those involved and their families.

‘‘All staff have signalled they are ready to come back to work, but he is open and flexible to them needing to take [paid] leave.’’

If a staff member said they wanted time off, they would not use up annual leave or sick leave, she said. ‘‘They would not work, and they would be paid. Simple as that.’’

Smiler’s motives for the incident continue to be unclear, with family members saying he did not want to kill anyone else.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush posted a blog about the incident, saying it ‘‘highlighted the unpredictable and dangerous events police sometimes face’’.

‘‘No officer ever wants to be confronted with situations like this. We are ensuring our staff continue to get all the support they need, and our thoughts are with Pera Smiler’s loved ones at this tragic time.

‘‘Although there have been a number of armed incidents in recent weeks, it’s important to remember that such events remain extremely rare.

‘‘It’s also very rare for police to have to use lethal force.’’

Duncan Garner