A 30-year-old man has had his charge upgraded over the death of teenager Eli Holtz in Auckland on the weekend.
The 18-year-old was assaulted just after 3am on Saturday after the vehicle in which he was a passenger was stopped at the traffic lights at the intersection of Wellesley St and Queen St.
He was taken to Auckland Hospital where he was put on life support, but died on Sunday evening.
The defendant, from Bulls, was originally charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
However police upgraded the charge to manslaughter in the Auckland District Court on Tuesday morning.
The defendant's been granted interim name suppression and will reappear in the High Court next month.
Detective Inspector Scott Beard says the police are carrying out an investigation into the homicide and are reviewing CCTV footage.
They would like to speak to three men who were at the intersection at the time of the homicide and may have witnessed the assault. Police believe the men caught a bus to Takapuna shortly afterwards.
Police also want to speak to the occupants of a white Toyota Prius that was behind the vehicle the victim was travelling in.
Any witnesses are urged to contact Auckland Central Police on (09) 302 6400 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Newshub.
