Crime and Justice
1News

Man shot dead by police in South Auckland named

April 21, 2020

Neighbours called 111 after seeing the man chopping down powerlines. (Source: Other)

The man shot dead by police in South Auckland early yesterday has been named.

He was 43-year-old Hitesh Navin Lal, with police saying his family are being supported.

Residents in Central Ave, just off Great South Rd in Papatoetoe called authorities after seeing Lal smashing windows, damaging cars and cutting powerlines with a machete, police said yesterday.

An armed officer responded, and shot Lal after he advanced and refused to lower the weapon.

Lal was born in Fiji. 

Police have launched two investigations into the shooting and we have also notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA).

The matter will also be referred to the Coroner.

New ZealandAucklandCrime and Justice

SHARE ME

More Stories

Man in custody after allegedly throwing rocks at family, child

Man in custody after allegedly throwing rocks at family, child

Police were called to Tauranga's Dive Cres around 3.15pm on Saturday to reports of an assault and disorder.

46 mins ago

1:31

Marama was left in a state of shock after undergoing a beating by her owner in 2022.

'Cruel and unnecessary': Man jailed for beating dog with shovel

The man said he was punishing the dog for toileting on his deck.

10:31am

1:31

Traveller uses eGate in New Zealand. (file image)

Record drug busts at Auckland Airport as interceptions increase in 2025

Customs is ramping up border security with new tech, expanded eGate access, and a major crackdown on corrupt baggage handlers.

6:00am

2:09

Nearly 300 protesters attended the Kiwis Against Anti-Semitism event which began in Aotea Square at 3pm on Sunday.

Rally warns of rising anti-Semitism a week after Bondi shooting

Nearly 300 joined the silent march down Auckland's Queen St as Jewish community leaders warn of rising global hostility.

5:17pm

4:07

Police in an unmarked car say they were "perplexed" when a man tried to pull them over.

Fake cop tries to pull over real police while over the limit

"It took a few moments for the impersonator to realise the vehicle they were signalling to pull over was police, and they quickly tried to evade the area to avoid being caught."

2:12pm

Ace of Spades bar in Wellington.

Woman arrested after person stabbed in abdomen at Wellington bar

Detective Sergeant Graeme Muir said the Saturday stabbing allegedly occurred during an altercation involving a small number of patrons.

1:55pm

Latest

Popular

3 mins ago

Can the 'Scandinavian sleep method' really help your sleep?

The viral "Scandinavian sleep method" is having a moment on social media.

36 mins ago

Nicola Willis to run as list-only candidate at 2026 election

Nicola Willis at a National campaign event in 2023.

46 mins ago

Man in custody after allegedly throwing rocks at family, child

1:31

Man in custody after allegedly throwing rocks at family, child

54 mins ago

New Zealand strikes free trade deal with India, 1News understands

1:31

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, hugs visiting New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon after the signing of a memorandum of understanding and delivering their respective press statements in New Delhi, India.

11:30am

Williamson to consider playing future on 'series by series' basis

1:31

Kane Williamson at the Bay Oval.

SPONSORED

How to stay online on an overseas holiday without blowing the budget

Sponsored by Yesim

How to stay online on an overseas holiday without blowing the budget
1
2
3
4
5
6

More from Entertainment

Chase host Bradley Walsh

'Is this a wind up?': Bradley Walsh on two bizarrely easy Chase questions

The ITV presenter was presiding over a team of four contestants attempting to win money against chaser Darragh "The Menace" Ennis.

4:55pm

Run-D.M.C.'s Jason Mizell, Jam-Master Jay, poses with teenagers gathered at New York's Madison Square Garden in 1986.

Judge nixes conviction man found guilty of killing Run-DMC star

The reversal, which came as the judge upheld the other man's conviction, marked another confounding turn in one of the hip-hop world’s most elusive cases.

Saturday 12:30pm

Oona Chaplin as Varang in Avatar: Fire And Ash. (Source: Supplied / 20th Century Studios)

Avatar: Fire and Ash – A visual spectacle, but does it earn its runtime?

Thu, Dec 18

Gil Gerard.

Buck Rogers star Gil Gerard dies at 82

Thu, Dec 18

Victoria Beckham posted the stockings to her Instagram multiple times throughout the years.

Meet the woman behind the Beckhams' Christmas stockings

Wed, Dec 17