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The man fatally shot by police in Christchurch was threatening "serious harm" to police officers and had a hunting knife in his bag, police said this afternoon.
Stephen Jon Bellingham, 37, allegedly ran at police officers while brandishing a hammer and was shot twice on Stanmore Rd on Wednesday night. One of the bullets hit him in the chest and killed him.
The road where the shooting took place has now reopened and police say they have completed their scene examination.
Canterbury police district commander Superintendent Sandra Manderson this afternoon confirmed four cartridges were located and two spent bullets recovered from the scene.
It had also been established that Mr Bellingham had used a golf club to damage a van outside a house on the corner of Trent Street and Avonside Drive.
When Mr Bellingham moved to nearby Stanmore Road Ms Manderson said he was carrying a shoulder bag containing a hunting knife in a sheath.
She said Mr Bellingham was threatening "serious harm" to the police officers and was shot after being warned.
Confusion remains about what happened in the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Police said an officer gave immediate assistance to the wounded man, but some witnesses claimed it was some minutes before anyone approached the body.
From Wellington today, Bellingham family spokesman John Trischler said Mr Bellingham's grieving parents, brother and three sisters were "devastated" by his tragic death.
"The family, naturally, is just devastated, really," said Mr Trischler - an uncle of Mr Bellingham.
"We just can't comprehend what happened."
Mr Bellingham was the eldest of five siblings. He grew up in the Hawke's Bay and was educated at Napier Boys' High School. He'd done a viticultural course and travelled overseas on his "big OE" before returning to work around the Hawke's Bay.
Mr Trischler, a tyre wholesaler, said Mr Bellingham "came from a very loving family".
"He was a very loved son and brother."
Mr Bellingham, he said, enjoyed rugby and "enjoyed watching sports from the couch, like a lot of Kiwis do".
"He was just a great, genuine Kiwi guy."
Mr Trischler said the family was "working through" the issues involved.
"We haven't any answers as to why, or what was the cause or the catalyst (to the incident).
"And really we're just sort of getting through every day as best we can with the help of lots of people who have sent us flowers and cards and food and condolences."
Mr Trischler said the family appreciated the help Victim Support volunteers had provided.
"They've been just marvellous. They really have."
He also praised the police for keeping the family fully informed about their investigations.
"The New Zealand Police have been very, very good by keeping the family in close contact with what's going on," he said.
Mr Trischler said he was unsure when Mr Bellingham moved to Christchurch, but presumed the move was prompted by his desire for a "change of scene".
He declined to comment on suggestions from flatmates that Mr Bellingham had taken party pills and hadn't been sleeping in the days before the incidents that led to his death.
"We can't understand what's happened," he said.
Mr Bellingham's parents were "distraught - as any parent would be losing a family member".
Mr Trischler said he was unaware yet of any funeral arrangements.
Conflicting versions have emerged over the way Mr Bellingham was shot, with one couple claiming he was standing still with his hands at his side and a man saying he was rushing towards the police officer, who fired his police issue 9mm Glock pistol from a distance of about a metre.
The police account is supported by Chris Young, 19, who said he was just metres away when the shooting took place and the police officer had no option other than shooting.
Mr Young said Mr Bellingham charged the officer and was only a metre from him when he was shot.
"The man just charged him with a hammer raised above his head with both hands ... and ran ... really, really fast at the police officer, he said.
But witnesses Keiran Cross and Amanda Duke told the New Zealand Herald Mr Bellingham had his hands at his sides, was standing still and did not appear to pose any threat to the officer when the shots were fired.
Police were continuing to interview witnesses today as part of their homicide investigation. The Police Complaints Authority is also investigating.
- NZPA / NEWSTALK ZB
