Hori Gage homicide Four arrested, one faces manslaughter
A man charged with the manslaughter of a Mongrel Mob member has been remanded in custody.
The 26-year-old accused appeared in the Palmerston North District Court yesterday afternoon for a closed court hearing.
Court documents seen by the Manawatū Standard state that the man, who was granted interim name suppression, was accused of driving two other males to and from the scene of the shooting of Hori Gage on August 6.
Gage was fatally shot on the driveway of his Highbury home in front of his partner and children. Police previously said they believed the shooting occurred in retaliation over a gang brawl at Castle 789 two days beforehand, in which Gage was not involved.
A large number of police officers were outside the court before yesterday’s hearing, at which the man was granted interim name suppression. He was remanded in custody without plea to reappear in the High Court on March 22.
The two men he was accused of driving had been charged with murder.
One of those men, a 38-year-old, appeared in the Hamilton District Court on March 7. At that time, he was remanded in custody, and without plea, to next appear in the High Court in Palmerston North, also on March 22.
Judge Arthur Tompkins granted a request by police prosecutors for the man’s name and identifying details to be suppressed until that date.
In a statement, police said four arrests had been made yesterday across Foxton, Feilding, Whanganui and Palmerston North.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Thompson said in addition to the manslaughter charge, three other people aged 16, 18, and 33 had been jointly charged with arson. This was in relation to a burnt-out vehicle that was found on Aranui Rd after the shooting.
Thompson said the investigation was ongoing and further arrests were likely.
“While no result will ever bring Hori back to his partner, children and wider family, these arrests are a great result.”
Thompson said the investigation had been difficult but police were committed to holding everyone who played a part in the murder to account.
“We have spoken to Hori’s partner and mother who are incredibly thankful for the arrests being made as they continue to face the emotions of the loss of a partner and son.”