Bystanders who filmed a violent brawl outside the gates of De La Salle College in Māngere East, Auckland are being urged to share their footage with police after a 16-year-old student was stabbed in the chaos.
At around 4:20pm on Friday, around 30 male youths attacked a group of high school students outside the school on Gray Ave, according to De La Salle College principal Myles Hogarty, who sent an urgent email informing parents that two students had been hospitalised following the brawl.
"Our students had just finished rugby training and after school tuition classes and were heading to the Middlemore train station to catch trains home," Hogarty wrote, as reported by the NZ Herald.
"A group of around 20-30 male youths attacked De La Salle students outside our College Gates.
"Details as to who these youths were are still sketchy and the police are looking at CCTV footage from the train station to identify them."
A 16-year-old boy remains in Middlemore Hospital with moderate stab wounds, but is "recovering well", Counties Manukau West Police area commander, Inspector Matt Srhoj, said in a statement. Another student received treatment for a concussion and was reportedly discharged on Friday evening.
Officers have spoken with several people about the brawl and are currently "building a picture of the circumstances behind it".
"While we have spoken with a number of people, we would like to hear from anyone with information that may assist our enquiries further," Insp Srhoj said.
"A number of people" filmed the brawl, he said, and police are urging the bystanders to share their footage to a specific police website.
"Police are disappointed in the violence displayed in this disorder and it is incredibly fortunate that we are not dealing with fatal injuries here.
"Police will be liaising with De La Salle College on an ongoing basis regarding this incident. We are taking this matter seriously and there will be an increased police presence in the surrounding areas this afternoon."
A vehicle believed to be connected to the incident has been located and examined. CCTV footage from the area is also being analysed.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Counties Manukau Crime Squad on (09) 261 1321 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Footage can be provided through the website: https://johnston.nzpolice.org.
