The fatal shooting of a young man in Grey Lynn last night appears to be the result of an ongoing “neighbourhood dispute”, police say.
“We are building a picture of the violent event that unfolded on Tuarangi Rd in Grey Lynn,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin told media at a press conference this afternoon.
Police found a man injured on the scene after reports of gunshots. He was given medical attention, but he died on the scene, Baldwin said.
Three other men were shot and taken to hospital. The surviving victims are in varying conditions, and all three men are expected to undergo surgery today.
Police were not aware of any other people who had been injured.
An “altercation” took place between two groups who knew each other before shots were fired. Baldwin said the parties had been involved in an ongoing “neighbourhood dispute”. This particular dispute started earlier that day, he said.
“It started with property damage and it has now escalated to this, and this sort of stuff needs to stop immediately.”
The ongoing disputes possibly go as far back as March. An incident in August saw a man charged with burglary.
The man who died lived in the area, but not at the property concerned.
Baldwin said there was a “fairly chaotic series of events”, with people fleeing the area as police arrived last night. “Rapidly changing, it’s dark, there’s a lot of things going on and there’s a lot of moving parts.
“Our investigation is still in its early stages and there is much to cover,” he said.
There will be a continued police presence in the area, and police expect to remove the victim’s body from the house today.
“This is a time for calm,” he said.
“This appalling violence will not be tolerated.”
There were criminals in both groups connected to the dispute, but it was too early to say whether police would charge any of the men in hospital.
Baldwin said this was the fourth homicide in the district in 10 days, but this matter was police’s focus right now.
“We are primarily focused on holding the killer to account.”
“If you have information that can help us, please contact us.
“We know the public can also assist with our investigation. We need to hear from people who may have dashcam footage or CCTV - we actively seek that to help in our investigation.”
He asked anyone with information to phone 105 and quote file number 240905/8180.
Baldwin said there was “no evidence” of gang links in either of the two groups.
The Herald understands the victim who died was 18-year-old Maxwel-Dee Repia.
A homicide investigation is under way after Repia was shot dead and three others were hospitalised with gunshot wounds in the central Auckland attack.
The Herald understands Repia recently attended Mt Albert Grammar School.
Police were called to Tuarangi Rd at 6.50pm following a report of a firearm being discharged.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin of Auckland City CIB says responding officers found a man with critical injuries.
“First aid was administered, however, despite efforts from first responders he sadly died at the scene,” Baldwin said.
“Three others were also seriously injured and remain at hospital where they are being treated for gunshot injuries.”
A man at the scene told the Herald that his grandson, Repia, had been killed in the incident.
“I loved him. Loved him to bits,” he said.
The man said his daughter rang him to tell him what happened.
“She’s going to be devastated,” he said.
Police believe the involved parties are “known to each other” and at this stage the risk to the wider public is minimal.
This morning, a wide cordon stretches across the entrance to Tuarangi Rd while the investigations continue in the area with a large police presence.
Baldwin said police are now working to understand exactly what has occurred and to locate all parties involved.
“We know this will have been a shock to the community, however, we would like to reassure them this appears to be an isolated incident.”
A police van with forensic officers in overalls has arrived, while two armed police are standing guard at the scene. Multiple police vehicles are parked along the street, which intersects Great North Rd.
A blue police specialist search group tent is still outside a property on the street, where it was reported a firearm was discharged at 6.50pm.
Two people holding hands are sitting on plastic chairs in the rain at the edge of the cordon.
Officers can be seen walking up the driveways of neighbouring houses.
Police have also been seen probing the grass at the front of two properties outside the cordon with metal and wooden sticks.
At least 15 police vehicles and multiple ambulances were seen shortly after the incident, with four armed officers standing guard at the cordon.
A woman living on Tuarangi Rd was feeling fearful after hearing shouting and gunfire last night.
“My husband locked the door. It was hard to sleep, it was just on my mind,” she said.
Last night, she said she saw groups of young men standing outside one of the properties that now appears to be of police interest.
“Lately a lot of things have happened here.”
Another woman who lived nearby simply said, “I’m scared for my grandchildren.”
At the Great North Rd end of Tuarangi Rd last night, a group of about eight or nine people tearfully hugged one another just outside the cordon.
Armed police and a dog unit surrounded a block of flats and gained access to one of the units.
Police have erected a “specialist search group” tent.
St John sent two rapid response vehicles, three ambulances and an operations manager.
One resident of the road was last night told by police she couldn’t go home because of a “serious incident”.
Another reported seeing a body on the ground.
Anyone with information about the incident, or who witnessed any of the surrounding circumstances, is urged to contact police.
If you can help, please call 105 and quote file number 240905/8180, Operation Comma.
You can also share information anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Jaime Lyth is a multimedia journalist for the New Zealand Herald, focusing on crime and breaking news. Lyth began working under the NZ Herald masthead in 2021 as a reporter for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei.
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.