A man is in custody and speaking with police after two people were found dead, having been shot, in a suspected double homicide in South Auckland yesterday afternoon.
The bodies of a man and woman were found at an address on Gambare Place in Wattle Downs at around 1.45pm, with nearby schools locked down and armed police sweeping through the street.
In an update this afternoon, police said officers were called to the address after reports of a person armed with a handgun at the property.
A resident, who did not want to be named, told 1News she and her family witnessed the event. She said a car pulled up and a person got out before a heated argument began outside the house, followed by one gunshot and then several more.
The person returned to the car and drove away from the cul-de-sac, before she heard more gunshots at the other end of the road.
The offender fled the scene before officers arrived, police said yesterday.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va’aelua said police were speaking with a 30-year-old man in custody for an unrelated offence.
"We are working to determine whether this man is involved," he said.
“That determination relies on the outcome of our enquiries, which we’re prioritising with urgency.
“We are maintaining an open mind, hence why no charges have been laid at this stage."
Armed police guarded the scene overnight, and residents can expect to see an increased police presence while investigations take place, he said.
Manurewa-Papakura Ward councillor Daniel Newman could not comment on the police investigation when speaking to Breakfast, but said the community was "resilient".
"If someone's at large, we want whoever's responsible to be apprehended in police custody, and I want people to have peace in their lives," he said.
"What I can say is that our schools and families affected responded very well yesterday, and we'll need to do the same today because today is another day."
Residents could expect to see an increased police presence as the investigation continued.
Newman urged the community to stay "vigilant and to be resilient".
"We live in a great community. I live in Wattle Downs. I love living here. I love my neighbours.
"I like to think that this incident will not define us."
Va’aelua said yesterday the incident appeared to be "isolated".
Post-mortem examinations of the two victims were held today.
Va’aelua urged anyone who may have seen anything to contact police.
"We know this will be an unsettling time for those in our community, that such a violent incident has taken place.
“I want to reassure people we are working hard to hold people to account.”
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds, including the investigation into an Auckland double homicide, and why Donald Trump’s trying to rename a lake. (Source: 1News)
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