Gang man shot in front of girlfriend

A man shot dead in front of his girlfriend is understood to be King Cobras gang member Luke Riddell.

The body of 28-year-old Riddell, also known as Ruka, was found on the side of Grange Rd, Charing Cross, Selwyn about 3.30pm on Saturday. At least one gunman remains on the run.

Detective Inspector Corrie Parnell said earlier initial inquiries suggested an altercation had occurred between two men, resulting in one of the men being shot. At this stage it was not apparent how the two men knew each other, Parnell said.

Several members of the public were part of the first response, and a number of witnesses were still being interviewed by police, Parnell said.

A team of 40 investigators were working on the investigation. The offender, or offenders, remained at large. It was ‘‘quite probable’’ they were armed, Parnell said.

‘‘We will make every effort to bring this and those persons that are responsible to account for this incident expediently,’’ Parnell said.

‘‘I would encourage any members of the public who may have witnessed or have information in respect of this killing to come forward. I would also encourage any person that may have been involved in this incident to come forward to police before we have to come and find you.’’

About 15 patched members of the King Cobras gang were stationed across the road from the police cordon on Sunday.

Parnell acknowledged the investigation had a ‘‘backdrop of gang association’’, but would not confirm if the victim was a member of the King Cobras. The possibility of gang retaliation was ‘‘always a concern’’ to police, he said.

A man, who did not want to be named, told The Press his partner, who lives near where the body was found, heard a loud bang followed by a woman screaming.

‘‘She thought something’s not right here and went to have a look.

‘‘The guy was lying there blood spurting out everywhere. He was still alive, she tried to revive him, but he died.’’

The man said another woman, who he believed was the victim’s girlfriend, was also at the scene when the man was shot.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said the incident was ‘‘a bit unnerving’’. She said the house cordoned off by police belonged to a woman who lived at the address with a boarder.

‘‘It’s a quiet area, it’s more unnerving that there’s things like that happening there. Especially the presence of gang members in the area was unsettling.’’

The neighbour was working on her property feeding calves when the incident occurred, and initially believed someone had been hit by a car.

The house on Telegraph Rd remains under police cordon.

Several cars had been seized, including a black Mercedes-Benz driven by Riddell, and were under guard.

Parnell said anyone with information could contact Christchurch police on (03) 363 4700. Information could also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111