Shot man had history of violence
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 as Orynn, aged in his late 30s.
Kerapa was killed after a 15-hour standoff at a property 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’’.