The man shot outside a south Auckland church on Saturday is a former gang member, according to media reports.
The man killed was Mongrel Mob member Daniel Eliu, 46, who had a criminal background, according to media reports.
Eliu spent time in prison for kidnapping, abusing a former partner and also slashing a man's face with a boxcutter, who he considered to be a snitch Stuff reported.
In an update on Sunday morning, Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va'aelua said police have yet to arrest anyone for the shooting.
"The Police scene examination at the location of yesterday’s fatal shooting in Puhinui Road, Manukau is now complete and the post-mortem examination of the deceased is being conducted this morning," he said "The investigation is ongoing to identify the persons responsible."
The shooting sparked a lockdown at the Seventh Day Adventist Community Church where the church's Christmas service was about to commence, involving a performance by children. Everyone has since been let out.
The shooting happened after a gathering of people taking part in a program who have been trying to turn their lives around.
The gathering, called True Stories, is run by the Grace Foundation which seeks to improve the lives of people from marginalised backgrounds.
Co-founder David Letele snr, the father of Brown Buttabean, posted a heartfelt tribute on Saturday evening and is pleading for peace and calm.
"Mongrel Mob Rangatira Ma. A solemn reach out to you all … I'm absolutely in shock of today's tragedy as I know you all are also," Letele snr said.
"I have for many years provided a Whare of hope and healing for one and all and many past and present have been our Kuri Bros. For the safety of all our Grace whanau I seek your aroha and awhi and let the dust of this tragedy settle."
Police said they received a report at 10am that a person had been shot. The first officers on the scene administered urgent first aid but the person died.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va'aelua said the shooting appears to be an isolated incident, as the victim was deliberately targeted.
Police are following positive lines of enquiry to locate the offender and the people who were present at the church are assisting Police with their investigation, Det Insp Va'aelua said.
Footage from the scene shows multiple Mongrel Mob members outside the church.
Phillip Barber, who was inside the church at the time of the incident, told Newshub rumours started going around that something was happening in the church car park.
He said the service was delayed and they were told to stay inside.
"It's shocking that someone could do that on a church property," Barber said.
Arjang Payrow told Newshub he was arriving at the church to watch his three-year-old son's Christmas performance but wasn't let in.
"I was very upset that I couldn't get in. I was shocked that there were police everywhere," Payrow said.
Payrow has since been reunited with his son.
Shelly Munaaf, who lives next door to the church, said she woke up to see police and ambulances swarming the area.
"It's so scary. I choose this neighbourhood because I knew there was a church. Church is a holy place it can't happen like that. People have to be a bit more sensitive."
She said she is scared to send her children out, who usually play soccer in the church's yard.
