Manhunt under way after fatal shooting
A man was shot to death in front of a woman near a rural Canterbury property.
The 28-year-old’s body was found in Grange Rd, Charing Cross, Selwyn about 3.30pm on Saturday. No arrests have been made. Detective Inspector Corrie Parnell said earlier that initial inquiries suggested an altercation had occurred between the man who died and another man.
Parnell confirmed a firearm was involved.
In Christchurch yesterday afternoon, Parnell urged anyone with information to come forward, and said those responsible should do the same ‘‘before we have to come and find you’’.
Parnell said the offender or offenders were still at large, and possibly armed, but he was comfortable there was no risk to the public. He said police were dealing with a complex and large scene of about 3 kilometres.
About 15 patched members of the King Cobras gang were yesterday stationed across the road from the police cordon at the intersection of Telegraph and Grange roads. Several deckchairs were positioned on the grass, near their cars, as the members waited for police to finish the scene examination.
Parnell said the investigation was being carried out against a ‘‘backdrop’’ of gang association.
He agreed the possibility of gang retaliation was ‘‘always a concern’’ to police.
A man, who did not want to be named, told Stuff 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.
Scene guards remained in place overnight on Saturday at two sites before a full scene investigation could begin yesterday morning. ‘‘We acknowledge the public’s concerns regarding this incident. We continue to follow positive lines of inquiry and are working towards holding those responsible accountable,’’ Parnell said.
Residents in the surrounding area said they had seen and heard little of the incident. Spokespeople for the New Zealand Fire Service and St John confirmed staff had been at the scene, but would not comment.
The King Cobras gang was formed by Samoan migrants in Auckland in the 1950s.