Shot dad had violent history
A man shot dead by police in front of children had a history of violence and drug abuse.
Police are yet to officially name the man but it is understood he was Ethan Kerapa, also known Orynn, aged in his late 30s.
Kerapa was killed after a 15-hour standoff at a property in Oriana Cres, in Bellevue, Tauranga, on Sunday afternoon. Police have said they had no other option but to shoot him as he was holding children hostage with a machete.
However, there appears to be some disquiet among Kerapa’s family about their lack of involvement in the lengthy negotiation to resolve the situation, and his proximity to the children when he was shot.
Those who have shared a post on social media raising the concerns have not responded to requests for comment.
One of Kerapa’s friends did say he was a ‘‘good friend and father’’ and was not the anti-social person some neighbours had made him out to be.
Kerapa’s criminal history includes offending in 2007 when he was 27.
He was jailed for two years after pleading guilty to 24 charges, including assault with intent to injure, dangerous driving, wilful damage, drink-driving, driving while disqualified, assaulting a female and possession of an offensive weapon.
The charges related to three separate incidents when he twice assaulted his partner.
The court heard he managed a successful roofing company before becoming addicted to methamphetamine. He had been convicted in 2005 for assaulting a female and contravening protection orders, for which he received a sentence of community work. The judge said Kerapa had acted like a ‘‘bullying thug’’ and urged him to kick his methamphetamine addiction or it was inevitable he would be involved in further violent offending. More recently, however, it appears as though Kerapa was trying to turn his life around and was involved with Destiny Church’s Man Up programme.
Man Up describes itself as a 15-week programme in which participants are ‘‘encouraged and supported to heal their inner selves in order to lead fulfilling lives as leaders in their homes and communities’’.
Yesterday, flowers and a heartshaped balloon were laid in the driveway of the two-storey house where Kerapa was shot.
Carloads of what appeared to be grieving family members visited the scene. Whanau, dressed in black, were seen embracing in the driveway as a funeral director prepared to take Kerapa’s body away.
A child was among whanau who gathered at the address. A tarpaulin and sheet were held up in the driveway for about 10 minutes to allow family to grieve in privacy while female family members sang and wailed.
Family members and police officers laid their hands on the silver hearse as it was driven away by a funeral director.
Tauranga mayor Tenby Powell, who met with the family, said it had been an ‘‘extremely traumatic experience for all involved’’.
‘‘I have indicated on behalf of our community that our thoughts are with them at this difficult time’’.
Police Association vice-president Craig Tickelpenny said there was a robust process that took place following a fatal shooting from an officer.
‘‘There is a mandatory 10-day stand-down period,’’ he said.
‘‘That is the minimum amount of time. This is so members involved have the opportunity to have psychologist support and talk through issues.’’
IN DEPTH