Police have launched a homicide investigation after a man who was fighting for his life in hospital over the past two days died from gunshot wounds in a south Auckland shooting earlier this week.
It comes after armed police closed off Addington Ave in Manurewa when two people were found unresponsive in the vehicle at around 3:20am on New Year's Day before being transported to hospital.
Detective Inspector Karen Bright of Counties Manukau confirmed on Monday that police are investigating a shooting that left the pair with gunshot wounds and in a critical condition.
In an update on Wednesday, Det Insp Bright confirmed one of the men - a 19-year-old - had died as a result of his injuries.
The second person - a 17-year-old male - remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Det Insp Bright said a scene examination was completed on Tuesday.
"Our focus is now on establishing the circumstances surrounding the incident and supporting both victim's families at this difficult time," Det Insp Bright said.
"We know this will have been a shock to the community, however we would like to reassure them this appears to be an isolated incident."
Police said at this stage, they're not in a position to release details of the 19-year-old who had died but will release his name in "due course".
Det Insp Bright said officers are continuing to make enquiries, but want the public's help and encourage anyone with information to contact police.
"Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the Addington Avenue area the evening on 31 December through to around 3:30am on January 1, including those with dashcam footage," Det Insp Bright said.
"Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who has information that could assist with our enquiries, is urged to contact Police on 105 or online at https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 clicking 'Update Report'.
"Please reference file number 240101/2378. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111."
So far, no arrests have been made but Newshub exclusively revealed on Tuesday evening that a witness to the shooting says she saw three or four people running away down alleyways afterwards.
Both Sonya Laupola and her mother Agnes Ahmann told Newshub they didn't see their faces, but Laupola said she heard swearing and the "n" word before the sedan the victims were in hit a van.
