Meade said police had no information that would indicate any ongoing risk to the community.
“We’re following all lines of inquiry to try to apprehend this offender.
Armed police search a property on Victoria St, Onehunga, following an alleged stabbing on a bus nearby. Photo / Hayden Woodward
“Auckland is a very safe city, this is a very rare event.”
He said police had conducted preliminary examinations of the bus, which would be towed to a secure facility for a full examination on Thursday.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell took to social media on Wednesday night, calling the incident a “senseless homicide”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim... on a bus today in Auckland,” Mitchell said.
“Police continue to urgently search for the offender who they have identified. This gratuitous violence has no place in our communities.”
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim of the senseless homicide on a bus today in Auckland. Police continue to urgently search for the offender who they have identified. This gratuitous violence has no place in our communities.
Auckland Transport’s director of public transport and active modes Stacey van der Putten said it was helping police after a “serious incident” on board a No 74 bus service in Onehunga this afternoon.
“We are working with our bus operator to provide support to the bus driver who witnessed this incident as well as our other customers who were on board at the time.
“The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and bus drivers is our top priority and we are working with police and our bus operator to fully understand this afternoon’s incident,” van der Putten said.
