Birkenhead stabbing: Neighbour says ‘too much blood’ at scene for attack to be random

A resident in a Birkenhead street where a man was found critically injured with multiple stab wounds says there was “too much blood” for the attack to have been random.

There is a visible police presence in the Auckland suburb this morning after the incident.

Two officers can be seen speaking to residents and businesses about the attack, which happened on Tuesday afternoon. Other officers are canvassing homes closer to the scene on Birkenhead Ave.

A neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Herald she had not seen anything like this in the 11 years she had lived there.

She had to wait at the neighbouring church for three hours yesterday.

“I knew it wasn’t random, there was too much blood, someone did that with intent,” she said.

Firefighters had to use their hoses to clean off the street, she said.

Yesterday, armed police swarmed the North Shore after the critically injured man “completely drenched in blood” was found with stab wounds.

Police this morning confirmed the man was now in a stable condition in hospital, and said they believed it was not a “random incident”.

North Shore area commander Inspector Stefan Sagar said they would be speaking with the victim “in the coming days”.

“From what we have established so far in our inquiries, we do not believe this is a random incident.

“We are continuing to make inquiries into information about a vehicle that left the area, but at this point we do not have further information to release.”

Police yesterday closed Birkenhead Ave in Birkenhead after a serious incident. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

He said police would be visible in the Birkenhead community today as they canvas the area.

Saga thanked the Birkenhead community for the assistance during the investigation.

“I know when these events take place in our communities that this can be unsettling, but we believe it is an isolated event and police are continuing to work hard to identify and hold this offender to account.”

Earlier, police said a man was found with critical injuries on Birkenhead Ave by a member of the public about 2pm.

“At this early stage we believe the man has sustained stab wounds and he has been taken to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition,” Waitematā field crime manager Acting Detective Inspector Simon Harrison said.

Armed police guarded Birkenhead Ave while a scene examination took place. Photo / Sylvie Whinray

Armed police could be seen blocking off Birkenhead Ave, with emergency tape stretched across both sides of the road.

“We drove past when [it] just happened. Man completely drenched in blood on the ground, made me so upset to see. Really hope he’s okay but [it] doesn’t look good,” one witness recalled on social media.

The Herald understands the incident occurred outside early childhood centre Next Generation Birkenhead.

In an email to parents, the childcare centre said due to an “active lockdown in the area” they were required to be escorted by police to pick up their child.

”Be assured that there is a heavy police presence, but your child’s safety is our top priority. They are safe, happy, and unaware of the ongoing situation,” the email read.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 105 using the reference number 250204/5489.

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