The name of the man killed on Thursday during a home invasion in central Auckland can now be revealed.
He was Brian James, aged 23.
James was fatally shot and two others were hospitalised when the attackers targeted the Glass Rd property in the central suburb of Mt Roskill on December 23. The alleged offenders have yet to be located.
During a press conference on Friday, Detective Inspector Scott Beard confirmed the home invasion was not a "not a random attack".
"Two male offenders, one with a machete, one with a firearm came to the address," he said.
"It's not a random attack as they seemed to have known the people inside… a short time later, a 23-year-old male was shot and killed in an altercation."
In an update on Sunday morning, police confirmed a post-mortem has been completed and James' body has been returned to his whānau.
The investigation into the 23-year-old's death is ongoing, with an examination and area canvas of the Glass Rd address continuing on Sunday.
"A key focus for us is understanding exactly why our three victims were targeted," Beard said in a statement.
"The evidence to date indicates the two offenders, who are still to be identified, did not go to Glass Rd on Thursday evening by chance."
Anyone who can assist with information is encouraged to come forward. Information can be provided via 105, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting file number 211224/4140.
The two other victims remain in hospital in stable conditions after suffering significant injuries to their arms, believed to have been caused by the machete.
A fourth person at the address at the time of the incident was uninjured and has been assisting police with their enquiries.
