Fatal police shooting: Man gunned down by officers named

The identity of the man shot dead by police north of Auckland on Saturday morning has been revealed.

He was Jerrim Marshall Toms of Onehunga.

The 29-year-old died just before 4am on State Highway 1 near Puhoi – the result of being shot by police after he allegedly confronted them with a machete.

Multiple investigations are underway into Toms' death.

Police have not released his name at the request of his family, who wanted it to remain private until after his funeral.

However several sources in the community have contacted the Herald to identify Toms.

When contacted by the Herald Toms' family refused to comment.

Jerrim Marshall Toms was shot dead by police on Saturday. Photograph Facebook

Detective Inspector John Sutton confirmed this evening that police had met with the man's family and updated them about the investigation.

That included discussing the preliminary findings of the post mortem.

"Whilst initial indications are that drugs may be a factor, it is unclear what led this man to behave in such a way," he said.

"Police hope to answer this for the family and all concerned."

Sutton said the man's family had been told that "the investigation will search out and deliver to them the many answers they seek".

"Police are committed to undertaking a thorough and transparent investigation," he said.

"Additionally, the Independent Police Conduct Authority will carry out their own investigation and ultimately the matter is heard in the Coroner's court."

Superintendent Tusha Penny speaks at a press conference about the fatal shooting. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Sutton said speculation about the case was not helpful to the police.

Among other things, it had been suggested to the Herald that Toms had a rubber weapon rather than a machete and that he was shot as he walked away from officers during the confrontation.

"Police can confirm that the man shot had a real machete and had walked towards the armed officers before being shot at close range," Sutton said.

"There is still much to learn about the incident and the contributing factors to it; speculating in social and media forums does not enable the public to have a clear picture."

The fatal incident unfolded after police were called to an Onehunga address just after 3am on Saturday by a woman reporting that a person known to her had been acting erratically.

She left the scene because she feared for her safety.

It is now understood that the woman was a relative of Toms'.

He is listed as living at the same Onehunga address police were called to.

Police were sent to the property about 3.10am, however no people or vehicles were there when they arrived.

About 20 minutes later, a rural police officer heading home from a shift saw a car pulled over with its hazard lights on on SH1 north of Auckland.

However, the car quickly drove off.

The police car followed and the car stopped again.

As the officer was about to get out of his vehicle, police say the driver of the car – now known to be Toms - got out and came around to the driver's door of the police car, wielding a machete and threatening the officer.

The officer quickly moved away and called for backup, then watched Toms from a safe distance.

Police allege Toms then got back into his car and headed south on SH1 towards Puhoi.

Additional police resources, including the Eagle helicopter, were called on to help.

A large stretch of State Highway 1 was closed as police examined the scene of the fatal shooting.

Police said at the weekend that Toms was believed to have been travelling at speeds of up to 150km/h and at times with lights off.

Police placed spikes on the road, which successfully stopped the vehicle near Mahurangi West Rd about 3.50am.

As the first officers got out of the police car, Toms, still armed with a machete,
approached police again.

Police fired shots as he came towards them.

Officers immediately started first aid and called an ambulance, but Toms died at the scene.

A date for his funeral is yet to be announced.

Just hours before Toms was killed he published his final Facebook post.

At 12.50am he wrote:

"I Divine Love. WE ARE ALL ONE or we are all not one."

As police examined the scene of Toms' shooting, a 27km stretch of SH1 was closed for 12 hours.