A man has been arrested after two “unprovoked” stabbings on an Auckland bus that left one man dead.
Police said the stabbings were on Auckland Transport’s number 76 bus as it travelled from Glen Innes towards Ōrakei last night.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said a 36-year-old man is now in police custody.
“Information was received from the public, subsequent to our earlier appeal today, which indicated our suspect was in the CBD this afternoon,” he said.
“Police staff flooded the lower downtown area, quickly gaining observations of the man.”
Balwin said he was quickly and safely taken into custody at the corner of Commerce and Fort Streets.
The 36-year-old will appear in the Auckland District Court tomorrow.
Baldwin earlier confirmed a 59-year-old man died in an alleged “unprovoked attack”.
A 51-year-old man, who was injured, had surgery today on his hand. He is in a serious but stable condition.
“There is absolutely no place in our community for that kind of needless and senseless unprovoked violence.
“We are committed to undertaking a thorough investigation, understanding the motive and exactly why this occurred.”
At the time, the bus driver was not aware of the significance of what was happening on the bus, Baldwin said.
He said the attack did not appear to be related to other violent events in the area. Baldwin said the victims did not know each other and the attacks seemed random.
Baldwin said police were still searching the bus and believed a knife could be on there.
Baldwin confirmed police had spoken to an off-duty nurse on the bus helped the second person.
Police want to speak to two young women who got on the bus when the first victim got off, and got off before the second attack.
Police have established the 36-year-old got on the bus at 7.53pm on Apirana Ave.
“The first victim boarded the bus at 7.56pm and travelled a short distance before moving to exit the bus at 7.58pm,” 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.”
“An ambulance ...transported the man to hospital where he has later died from those injuries,” Baldwin said.
A cordon remains in place at the intersection, and a scene guard remained overnight.
A small pool of blood was visible at the scene beside a stack of pallets.
Baldwin said the bus continued on, and the second victim boarded at 8.09pm.
“The second unprovoked assault began when the offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus.
“The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim.
“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,” Baldwin said.
The offender got off the bus about this time, and was last seen fleeing on foot.
The second victim was taken to Auckland City Hospital with serious injuries.
A bus was seized on Nehu St, Ōrākei, as part of the police investigation.
Detectives are being supported by the Armed Offenders Squad as they continue their search.
“Our investigation is still in its infancy, but we are committed to understanding the motive and exactly why such violence took place aboard a bus last night,” Baldwin said.
Police are urging people with information to contact them and use the reference number 251208/7471 or Operation Gyle.
The man killed was “loved by the community” says a local, who wished to be anonymous.
The local said the wounded man got off the bus outside the Fenchurch shops and sat on a set of blue pallets.
In a video the victim could be seen calmly walking, clutching his chest before he sits and a woman rushes to him and starts to rally people to help.
A man brings towels to try and stem the blood.
“It’s really sad. People are really, really sad,” the local said.
He was shocked the man - who was not one to start fights with people - could be the victim of such a violent act.
He also said he did not want the community to get a bad rap, especially after the violence in past days from around the area.
“These are good people who live around here, families. This isn’t us.”
An AT spokesperson said they were assisting police and providing support to the driver.
“We are very saddened to hear about these incidents, and our thoughts are with the victims, their families and our bus operator who was present.
“Our buses all have CCTV cameras onboard, and we are working closely with police.”
Josephine Bartley, ward councillor for Maungakiekie Tāmaki, urged anyone with information to contact police.
Bartley posted a video on social media while taking the 76 bus and said AT officers had been deployed on buses.
“I think people are wanting reassurance that it’s safe to get back on the bus,” Bartley said.
“I won’t lie, I am looking carefully at who’s boarding the bus.”
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