One man has died and a second man has been seriously injured after they were attacked by the same person in two separate incidents aboard a bus in east Auckland yesterday.
The incidents occurred aboard the number 76 bus travelling from Glen Innes towards Ōrakei, when police were notified by ambulance about two separate assaults around 8pm.
Auckland City CIB Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said a team of investigators were "actively searching for the offender, who remains at large this morning".
He described the unprovoked attacks as "horrific".
He said police have established the offender boarded the bus at Apirana Avenue in Glen Innes at 7.53pm.
Baldwin said the first assault victim boarded the bus at 7.56pm and travelled a short distance before moving to exit the bus at 7.58pm.
"The only other passenger aboard initiated an attack on the victim, before he could exit the bus near Fenchurch Street in Glen Innes,” he said.
During this assault, the victim suffered a fatal knife wound, he said.
"The victim, is aged in his 50s, and managed to flee from the bus, before it continued on route.
"An ambulance was contacted and subsequently transported the man to hospital where he has later died from those injuries."
Baldwin said the bus continued, and around 8.09pm, the second victim boarded the bus.
"A man aged in his 40s sat at the back of the bus where the offender moved towards him," Baldwin said.
"The second unprovoked assault began when the offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus.
"The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim.
"After a short confrontation the second victim managed to flee from the bus, along with another passenger and the bus driver near the bus stop at Coates Avenue and Kepa Rd."
The offender eventually got off the bus himself and was last seen fleeing on foot.
Baldwin said the victim was taken to Auckland City Hospital with serious injuries, where they were in a "stable condition".
Earlier today, St John confirmed it sent two ambulances, one critical care unit and one operations manager.
'Appalled at the unprovoked violence'
Police staff have worked through the night to identify the offender responsible for both unprovoked attacks across both scenes.
Baldwin said the bus had also been secured and would be examined today.
Emergency services were called to Fenchurch Street, Glen Innes around 8pm. (Source: 1News)
"I can advise the community that we are following positive lines of inquiry to identify this man, and our priority this morning is to locate and arrest him."
Detectives were currently supported by members of the armed offenders squad, and police have reviewed CCTV footage from inside the bus.
"I'm appalled at the unprovoked violence used by this offender against two men who have done absolutely nothing wrong, and one has tragically and needlessly lost his life," Baldwin said.
"Our investigation is still in its infancy, but we are committed to understanding the motive and exactly why such violence took place aboard a bus last night.
"I know this horrific event will leave the community unsettled, but please be assured that our investigation team is doing all we can to locate this man."
Anyone with additional information was urged to come forward and contact police online, through 105 phone service or anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
SHARE ME