Shooting suspect named
Police issue warrant for 31-year-old sought after man gunned down on Auckland street
Police have named the man wanted after a fatal shooting on Ponsonby Rd on Sunday. A warrant to arrest has been issued for Hone Kay-Selwyn, 31, for unlawful possession of a firearm.
Emergency services responded to reports of shots fired on Ponsonby Rd, in central Auckland, about 10.18pm on Sunday. A man was found dead outside Saben and Glengarry Wines when officers arrived.
Detective Inspector Chris Barry said police wanted to hear from anyone with information on KaySelwyn’s whereabouts.
He is considered dangerous and should not be approached.
“Anyone who sights him should contact Police immediately on 111.”
Barry issued a warning to anyone who was helping Kay-Selwyn.
“We know that the community has several questions about what has occurred in Ponsonby on Sunday evening and we can reassure you police are working tirelessly to give the victim’s family answers and to put this man before the court.
“We are reminding any associates of this man that anyone found to be aiding or assisting him to evade police in any way may be liable to prosecution for being an accessory after the fact.”
Barry said police were not yet in a position to publicly name the victim in the fatal shooting.
Next of kin notifications were still ongoing, he said.
A woman claiming to be KaySelwyn’s partner expressed her remorse over the tragedy.
“My inbox is overflowing with messages concerning [the suspect’s] actions [on Sunday] night in Ponsonby,” she said on social media.
“I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. I’m deeply sorry and feel a great sense of shame about the situation.
“I’m still grappling with the fact that [he] took someone’s life.”
Her social media post has since been deleted.
CCTV footage shared with NZME shows the man walking into frame at 10.17pm, two minutes after the shots were fired at 10.15pm.
He can be seen looking at his cellphone and appears to be making a call on the device while walking away from the scene of the shooting.
He glances back at the scene multiple times, but continues walking south towards Richmond Rd.
Ron Haver, owner of Sol’s Place, a venue metres from the shooting, said he closed up after an event at 9.45pm.
He was pleased to be opening his cafe and bar again yesterday.
Barry said the alleged shooter had been lingering on the street after being denied entry to a pub. He then fired multiple shots at a group who got out of a car, killing one man.
Haver said he believed the group of people fired at were regulars at a nearby bar.
The suspect had a tattoo on his left forearm that appeared to read “Brother”, and he was wearing a manbag — where police said he was likely carrying the gun — and distinctive jewellery.
“He had a bracelet on his right arm, a watch on his left, and a very large, square-shaped signet ring on his left ring finger.
About two dozen armed officers descended on the scene of the shooting. The police Eagle helicopter was circling overhead.
A hearse arrived at the scene at 1.50am Monday to remove the body. A specialist team of detectives and a police forensic photographer were working at the scene through the night.
“I saw the body,” one man who worked on Ponsonby Rd told NZME.
There was screaming and shouting after the man was shot, he said.
Barry held a press conference at the scene om Monday, holding up photos of the wanted man and sharing details of his movements.