Abduction victim’s injuries revealed
Photos revealing the brutal injuries suffered by a kidnapping victim have been released for the first time as police hunt for the masked gunman responsible.
It has been almost 50 days since a man dressed in black and armed with a cut-down firearm ambushed North Canterbury businessman Andrew Cameron at his Hanmer home.
Nine people, including Cameron’s 19-year-old son and 3-month-old baby, were at the home when the gunman burst through the door.
The offender hit Cameron in the face with the gun, leaving his face bloodied, then made him tie up members of his family. He then forced Cameron to drive a silver SUV, which had been parked at the home, while pointing a gun at his neck.
The ordeal ended when Cameron jumped out of the moving car and fled gunfire barefoot.
The gunman chased after Cameron and tried getting back into the house but could not. He then fled in the SUV, which was found on Swanns Rd, in the Christchurch suburb of Richmond, two days later.
Detective Sergeant Colin Baillie said police continued to investigate the kidnapping.
He said the offender, who was thought to be Ma¯ ori, was described as medium build and wearing all black at the time of the incident, including a black balaclava.
Baillie said the man entered the home looking for a particular person. When the family said they did not know them, the gunman walked through the house checking each room and demanded Cameron tie up members of his family at gunpoint.
Baillie said police believed there were others involved in assisting the suspect, who took the crime ‘‘to another level’’ after acknowledging he had the wrong house.
‘‘Despite knowing he had made a monumental screw up he continued to terrorise that family for no purpose.’’
The weather was ‘‘extreme’’ the night of the kidnapping, with a significant amount of rain. When the man entered the property he was dry, suggesting he had been driven there.
‘‘Police view this individual as dangerous and a clear message . . . is that he didn’t locate his intended target at that time.
‘‘He subjected an innocent family to a series of traumatic events and our concern is that he’s still out there.’’
Baillie declined to say if police had interviewed the intended target. Officers were still trying to establish what the offender’s motives were.
Cameron said he and his family were ‘‘coping with everything as best we can’’. Security at their home had been increased and three people now locked the doors at night, instead of one.
‘‘You’re certainly a bit more nervous when the lights go out.
‘‘We’re a lot more aware of our surroundings and we’re certainly a lot more cautious of what we do.’’
He said they were trying to move forward.
‘‘It was just a surreal situation that no one wants to be in.
‘‘I think we’re all very thankful that no-one in the family was shot.’’
Anyone with information that could help identify the offender or anyone else involved is asked to call Christchurch police on 03 363 7400 or can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.