Shooting: ‘I saw a car drive away at speed’

Witnesses have described dramatic scenes following a shooting police say they are investigating as a homicide.

A man who suffered a gunshot wound died at the scene of the shooting, which occurred outside a twostorey home in Piako St in O¯tara, South Auckland, just after 2.50pm yesterday. Police last night were still hunting for the person or persons responsible.

The shooting occurred almost directly opposite a self-service laundromat, takeaway shop and dairy, and a woman working in one of the shops told the Weekend Herald she didn’t hear any gunshots.

But she realised something was wrong when she heard an ambulance arrive.

Looking outside, she saw a police officer doing chest compressions on the man.

Another worker from the shops said he heard a single gunshot, prompting him to run outside.

“I saw a blue car driving away . . . at speed.”

He couldn’t see the man who had been shot, as people were already crowding around him, he said.

A police cordon, guarded by an armed officer, included the property where the man died and a large section of the road surface.

It was still in place early yesterday evening, as officers from half a dozen police cars remained at the scene, along with an ambulance crew.

Earlier, children from nearby Flat Bush School and Flat Bush Kindergarten were briefly placed in lockdown.

By dusk, only a few neighbours were milling around quietly, and those spoken to by the Weekend Herald expressed surprise at the violent incident in their street. None knew the man killed in the shooting.

One woman said she had lived in the area for 10 years and it was “not a bad street”.

“I’m really shocked. I like it around here and I feel pretty safe. I’m hoping it’s a one-off.”

Acting Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers said police were working hard to identify those responsible.

“Anyone who witnessed this incident or has any information which may assist our investigation is urged to contact police immediately.”

Information can be provided to Counties Manukau Police on 09 261 1321 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.