Auckland Queen St shooting: Dariush Talagi hunted by police, considered ‘dangerous’

Police are hunting for a “dangerous” 24-year-old man in relation to a homicide on Queen St on Thursday evening.

They have issued a warrant to arrest Dariush Talagi, Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton said, after two people were shot. The alleged shooter was on a Lime scooter before and after the incident.

Bolton said there was no risk to the public but Talagi was “considered dangerous”.

He has distinctive facial tattoos, Bolton said.

Police are asking for the public's help to locate Dariush Talagi, 24.

“Our message to Dariush would be to hand himself in, or for anyone who sees him to call us immediately,” he said.

Just before midnight on Thursday, one man was shot in the head and another in the abdomen during an altercation.

One of the men died yesterday and police launched a homicide investigation.

Bolton said the man “was taken off life support and sadly succumbed to his injuries with family beside him”.

The other shot man remained in a stable condition at Auckland City Hospital, police said yesterday.

Electric scooters abandoned on lower Queen St following the shooting. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Police earlier revealed up to four shots were fired during the shooting.

Earlier, Bolton wouldn’t comment on whether the incident was gang-related or the exact number of people involved, but confirmed police could be looking for more than one person.

“A small group of people were witnessed fighting before one offender pulled out a firearm and fired several shots,” Bolton said.

He said police believed it was an isolated incident and there was no risk to the public.

Police on lower Queen St following the shooting. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Bolton said CCTV footage is helping with lines of inquiry. The offender was on a Lime scooter before and after the incident.

”What I can say at this stage, was two groups were unknown to each other and the rest of it just forming part of our investigation.”

Bolton said that during the incident there were “words exchanged” which led the person to get off the scooter and approach.

”I’m very concerned about the victims who were going about their own business, they weren’t looking for trouble.”

A Lime spokesperson said the company was assisting police with inquiries.

Footage from the scene showed armed police surrounding a person on the ground. Photos of the scene also show multiple scooters lying on their sides. A witness told the Herald he heard multiple gunshots and people yelling before looking out of the window to see a man lying on the ground and another being tended to by police.

Police closed off a section of Queen St after the shooting, before reopening it at 7am.

• Anyone who sees Talagi or knew of his whereabouts should call police on 111 and quote the file number 230804/3339. People can also give information anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111, Bolton said.