November 9 2021
Connor Whitehead's father James said they were shocked and heartbroken at the loss of Connor in such a senseless manner. Connor loved music and planned to study law - and those dreams had been cruelly taken away.
One of the men charged with murdering Christchurch schoolboy Connor Whitehead can now be named.
He is Joshua David Craig Smith, a 36-year-old concrete worker from Burnside.
His alleged co-offender cannot be named until at least February but a woman accused of helping him can now be identified asKelly Archbold, 23.
Connor, 16, was fatally shot outside a party in the suburb of Casebrook on November 5.
Smith and Archbold did not make further applications for suppression and the order prohibiting the publication of their names lapsed at 5pm today.
Archbold is accused of assisting the 43-year-old to enable him to avoid arrest, knowing he had been a party to Connor's death.
The 43-year-old alleged murderer and a woman charged with trying to help Smith avoid arrest are continuing their fight for suppression.
Their suppression is in place until February when a further hearing will be held on the matter.
The fifth alleged offender is Nicholas Mckay, 46.
His name suppression lapsed late last month.
McKay is also facing a charge of being an accessory after the fact to murder.
Tributes to Connor Whitehead in Heaphy Place in Casebrook, Christchurch. Photo / George Heard
Police say the Spencerville forklift driver "comforted" the 43-year-old by allowing him to stay at his address overnight in order to enable him to avoid arrest after the killing.
All five defendants have pleaded not guilty to the charges and will stand in the High Court at Christchurch in 2023.
Connor Whitehead, 16, was shot dead outside a birthday party in Christchurch earlier this month. Photo / George Heard
"He was at a party with his friends. He should have been safe and he should be home with us," his father said.
Detective Senior Sergeant Nicola Reeves, who is leading Operation Stack, the massive police inquiry into the case, said the killing has had devastating effects.
"Connor had his whole life ahead of him and this brutal and senseless incident has robbed that from him and his family," she said.
Reeves earlier said inquiries are ongoing.
• Anyone with information that may assist should contact police on 105 and quote event number P048523046.