The Glen Innes community is reeling after two people were stabbed on an Auckland bus and one later died. Photo / Jason Dorday
The Glen Innes community is reeling after two people were stabbed on an Auckland bus and one later died. Photo / Jason Dorday
Auckland’s deputy mayor has taken a ride on a bus today to reassure people that public transport is safe to use after Monday’s random double knife attack.
Desley Simpson said Glen Innes was gripped by “deep sadness” after this week’s unprovoked bus stabbings, with the community now rallying tosupport the victims’ families with a fundraiser.
A 36-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in the Auckland CBD after two people were stabbed on the number 76 bus on Monday night. One of them later died.
He was charged with murdering passenger Sefo Leger and wounding a second passenger.
Flowers, drinks, and tributes have been placed outside the local shops on Fenchurch St, marking the place where the critically wounded Leger got off the bus to seek help.
Simpson, posting on social media, spoke of “deep sadness and shock in the community at the senseless death of the ‘gentle giant’ on the Glen Innes to city 76 bus earlier this week”.
She made a point of riding the same bus route through the suburb today.
The deputy mayor felt it was important as a leader to show the community she felt safe on public transport.
She also said the driver was “extremely friendly” and wished everyone getting on the bus a Merry Christmas.
“They are going the extra mile to make passengers feel safe.”
Auckland councillor Josephine Bartley said the scene at Fenchurch St was subdued.
“It feels very sombre and sad seeing this at the local shops on Fenchurch, where sadly someone’s father and loved family [member] and friend has died.
“It is sickening to think of what happened, and he was just getting off the bus,” Bartley said.
Police guard a second scene on Nehu St in Ōrākei, related to the Glen Innes stabbing. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Fundraiser launched
Simpson said Meadowbank and St Johns Residents’ Association secretary Charmaine Vaughan reached out to explore ways the community could support the family, which led to a fundraiser.
“I checked in with Josephine Bartley and was advised that food support would be especially helpful during this time,” Simpson said.
She said the association was able to collect donations and give the grieving family Pak’nSave vouchers as needed.
A 36-year-old suspect was arrested on Tuesday afternoon in the Auckland CBD after two people were stabbed on the number 76 bus.
“If you can help, your kindness will make a difference,” Simpson said.
“Let’s try and lessen the impact of a lost income as well as the hurt this family is experiencing through no fault of their own.”
“The first victim boarded the bus at 7.56pm and travelled a short distance before moving to exit the bus at 7.58pm,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said.
“The only other passenger aboard initiated an attack on the victim, before he could exit the bus near Fenchurch St in Glen Innes.
The 36-year-old suspect appeared in Auckland District Court charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm. Photo / Jason Dorday
Baldwin said the second unprovoked assault began when the suspected offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus.
“The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim,” he said.
“After a short confrontation, the second victim managed to flee from the bus, along with another passenger and the bus driver, near the bus stop at Coates Ave and Kepa Rd.”
