Police believe Palmerston North man Hori Gage – shot dead in front of his children in August – was killed in retaliation for a gang fight he was not involved in two days earlier.
Gage, 27, was shot dead in a car in front of his children and partner on August 6 outside a property on Highbury's Croydon Ave.
He was a Mongrel Mob member and the killing came during a time of tension between that gang and Black Power.
Gage was preparing for a day out with his family when the "traumatic" incident took place.
"It was only by sheer luck that the children were not injured in this callous and inexcusable crime," Detective Sergeant Dave Wilson has said. Gage's partner Amythest Tukaki was also in the car and tried to defend him.
Today, Wilson confirmed "a number of people" are thought to be involved in the killing.
"Two days prior to the murder of Hori, police were alerted to a gang altercation at a Palmerston North bar, where a Black Power president had non-fatal stab wounds," Wilson said.
"Police believe the altercation led to further retaliations, including the murder of Hori Gage.
"Investigations have revealed Hori Gage was not involved in the Friday night altercation, rather he is believed to have been targeted due to his involvement with a rival gang."
Detectives have now seized a gold Nissan Teana in Auckland and are forensically examining the vehicle.
"Police believe this vehicle and occupants travelled from the Auckland area, and were involved in the aftermath following the Friday night incident," Wilson said, adding police have received several "valuable" pieces of information from the public including CCTV footage.
"Police continue to appeal for information, especially sightings of the gold Nissan Teana, registration GSA66, in Manawatū over the weekend of 6-8 August 2023."
It comes after police have previously appealed for information about a white 2005 Nissan Teana, registration HLQ924, found burned out on Aranui Rd on the day of the fatal shooting.
Tukaki and her 11-year-old son attempted to defend Gage and had a gun aimed at them while the offender escaped in the white Nissan.
Police said the Nissan travelled in convoy with two other cars before it was set on fire and burnt out.
Those two vehicles, a Silver SsangYong Rexton and a Silver Subaru Legacy Station Wagon, have been identified and recovered by police for forensic examination.
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