Homicide inquiry: 'Huge police presence' after man shot in Clover Park, South Auckland

Police cordon off a house on Darnell Cres, Clover Park. A homicide inquiry has been launched after a man's body was found. Photo / Dean Purcell

Police have launched a homicide investigation after the fatal shooting of a man in the south Auckland suburb of Clover Park overnight, they say.

Police and ambulance were called to Darnell Crescent about 10.30pm.

The cause of death will be the subject of a post mortem examination but it appears the victim suffered a gunshot wound, police say.

Police are guarding the area at Darnell Crescent while a scene examination is conducted.

"We are trying to establish the circumstances of what happened and why," Detective Inspector Tofilau Faa Vaaelua said.

"We are appealing to anyone who knows anything about the incident to contact the Counties Manukau Police on (09) 261 1321, or anonymously on 0800 Crimestoppers, 0800 555 111."

Police are guarding the address where the man was shot at Clover Park while a scene examination is conducted. Photo / Dean Purcell

A resident told the Herald there was a "huge police presence" on the street as armed police guarded the property overnight and well into Easter Sunday.

The resident said there had also been two ambulances on the street while police "had the whole street cordoned off".

Armed police officers were walking down the street, she said.

"We felt really safe."

She claimed "a lot of drug deals" occurred in the area and that it was best to stay inside when something was happening.

There had been a shooting in the nearby area about a fortnight ago and the neighbourhood was getting scarier, she said.

"This is getting up there."

Armed police are guarding the cordon and a resident on Darnell Crescent told the Herald she felt "really safe" because of the police presence. Photo / Dean Purcell

Another resident closer to the cordon told the Heraldshe thought she heard four or six gunshots but said it sounded like fireworks.

"People have fireworks all the time, you don't take notice."