David Seymour says the Epsom community has been "touched by tragedy in the last 24 hours" following a violent rampage in the Auckland suburb yesterday.
Yesterday the Auckland community was thrown into chaos following a series of violent events that unfolded shortly after 7am – in which a woman was assaulted, three teenage cyclists injured and a dog killed.
All three of the cyclists hit were teenage boys from nearby Auckland Grammar, and one hospitalised in a critical condition had surgery at Auckland Hospital yesterday.
Moment man is arrested following violent rampage in Auckland's Epsom - watch on TVNZ+
A 49-year-old man was under police guard at Auckland City Hospital overnight, and was expected to appear in court later today to face 14 charges.
These include: two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; two charges of injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm; two counts of assault with a weapon, two charges of failing to stop and ascertain injury; wilful ill treatment of an animal; two counts of dangerous driving; unlawful taking of a motor vehicle; attempted unlawful taking; and aggravated assault or resisting.
A woman was assaulted, three teenage cyclists injured and a dog killed in a morning rampage. (Source: 1News)
Speaking to Breakfast this morning, Epsom MP and Auckland Grammar old boy David Seymour said the school community was "obviously devastated" by yesterday's tragic events.
"Nobody wants something like this to happen in their community. No one expects it to, and yet it has.
"I think that the Grammar community, as I understand it, has rallied very well to support these boys. But you know, that's just a terrible position. You can try to imagine what it's like for the parents and the wider family, the boys who were there."
Seymour said he had spoken to Auckland Grammar headmaster Tim O'Connor, saying "the community has got together really well to support the people at the centre of it".
"I'm sure there'll be a lot of questions about who was this guy, how was he out, how was he able to do this. Those questions will no doubt be answered from the court appearance today," he said.
Seymour said when he first heard of the event, he was worried about the nature of the attack, and concerned for other schools in the area too.
Several cyclists were injured, a woman was attacked and a dog killed during an incident on Manukau Rd. Video: Andre Ripa (Source: Other)
"Within probably about a kilometre, or a kilometre and a half, you've got like five schools, and amongst them, probably about 3000 or 4000 students," he explained.
"So it's it's a very education-rich area, which is one of the things we really love about our community. We're very focused on the future and people getting educated. It's why a lot of people choose to live in this area. But you know, unfortunately, it's been touched by tragedy in the last 24 hours."
Police said that many commuters would have witnessed the events that unfolded, including the violent attack on the dog.
"We ask that if you have information to assist our investigation, and you haven’t contacted us, to please come forward.
“These were violent attacks, and if you have been impacted by what you saw today, we will ensure appropriate support referrals can be made available to you."
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