Police look into gang links in Karori killing
Police are investigating whether the murder of a man in Wellington is gang-related.
A homicide investigation was launched on Sunday after Rau Tongia’s body was discovered by a family member about 8.20am at an address on Percy Dyett Drive in Karori.
Stuff understands the 33-yearold had gang connections and police are investigating whether his death is linked to gang activity.
It is understood a party, which went into the early hours of Sunday morning, was being held at one of several properties down the driveway currently cordoned off by police.
Police confirmed they had earlier visited the property where Tongia’s body was found after reports of disorder. Inquiries into the callout were forming part of the homicide investigation, Detective Sergeant Steve Wescott said.
Stuff understands Tongia was due to appear in Wellington District Court yesterday, facing two charges of theft.
A registrar withdrew the charges after being told Tongia had died.
Neighbours spoken to in the normally quiet suburb yesterday said they had heard a lot of noise early on Sunday morning at the cluster of houses where Tongia’s body was found.
Wescott said police were following strong lines of inquiry and were working to hold those responsible to account.
It is not clear whether Tongia lived at the property.
The Karori community could expect to see a significant police presence in the area over the coming days, as officers sought to provide reassurance to local residents and speak to potential witnesses, Wescott said.
Yesterday, neighbours spoken
to said they had heard yelling coming from the group of three houses late into Saturday night.
‘‘I just remember it was so late, I was asleep and woke up. There was just a bunch of racket. I wasn’t quite coherent for it,’’ one neighbour said.
‘‘It was just a lot of noise, a lot of yelling. Just a bit of a racket early in the morning. We woke up and were like ... ‘hopefully they’ll be quiet now’, and then we went back to sleep. Then we woke up to the news. Pretty bizarre. It’s very out of place here.
‘‘I just feel sorry for them.’’ The group of three houses are all new builds.
Yesterday morning, police officers stood guard both at street level and further up the shared driveway, with a tent erected near the footpath for police and Institute of Environmental Science and Research staff.
Anybody with information is asked to contact Wellington Police on 105, quoting job number P044839711. Information can be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.