A man has been found dead following a day-long armed standoff in West Auckland sparked when shots were fired at police as they executed a search warrant for a gang member wanted for serious offending.
The dramatic incident, which saw armed police swarm the suburb of Henderson, roads closed and a school locked down, has finally been resolved.
Waitematā CIB Detective Inspector Kevin McNaughton said police arrived at the Newington Rd address about 7am on Friday to carry out a pre-planned search warrant for a gang member wanted for arrest for serious offending.
“Upon arrival, our staff were met with extreme hostility from the subject of the search warrant and a number of shots were discharged towards police staff. Cordons were immediately put in place as a result, with some residents in the immediate vicinity evacuated as a precaution.
“Throughout the day police have been attempting to communicate with the man inside the address. Despite these attempts, the man has repeatedly refused to engage with our staff.”
Late on Friday afternoon, the armed offenders squad entered the address and located the man dead inside.
“An investigation will now commence into the man’s death on behalf of the Coroner. The Independent Police Conduct Authority will also be advised, as is standard procedure.
“Police would like to acknowledge the Henderson community for their co-operation and understanding, as they were disrupted by the cordons in place throughout the day. These cordons were put in place for the safety of the public and our police staff operating in the area.
“Police would like to reassure the community that this incident has now concluded and they will see cordons lifting in the area and residents able to return home.
“There is no ongoing risk to the community as a result of this matter, however, members of the local community are likely to see an extra police presence in the area over the coming days whilst a scene examination is completed.”
Earlier on Friday, armed police were attempting to execute a search warrant at a West Auckland property but met resistance, leading to the hours-long standoff with an occupant.
The operation led to a nearby primary school being forced into lockdown and extensive traffic delays in Henderson due to roads being cordoned off.
In a 2pm update, police said cordons remained in place.
“The Newington Rd address that was subject of a pre-planned search warrant this morning remains contained and police staff are communicating with an occupant inside the property,” McNaughton said.
“Police would like to thank the community for their patience given the ongoing disruption as a result of the cordons in place today. These are in place to ensure the safety of the community and police staff.
“We would like to reassure the public that police are working hard to bring the matter to a safe conclusion as soon as possible.”
Holy Cross Catholic School was placed in lockdown before school started, with students who arrived early being kept in a classroom.
The school later said it would remain closed all day. “It is classed as an emergency closure. At this time school is still in lockdown. Staff and children at school are all safe,” the school said at lunchtime.
The school has since posted on Facebook that the 10 children who were in the before-school programme and four of the teachers who were in school early this morning are now all safely home.
Operations and Integration leader of the Ministry of Education Sean Teddy understood the anxiety these incidents cause parents, caregivers, communities and schools.
“Te Mahau offices are on hand to help schools who contact us during or post-lockdown events, including providing traumatic incident response support,” Teddy said.
“School principals are responsible for the day-to-day operation of their schools.
“Schools are required to have emergency plans and we provide guidance to support their development and delivery.”
Officers had cordoned off several streets around Newington Rd and a drone could be seen hovering above View Rd.
Police said this morning’s response in Newington Rd was part of an ongoing pre-planned search warrant.
Cordons around the wider area remained in place, and residents within this area were advised to remain inside.
“Holy Cross Catholic School is within the cordoned area and has been advised to remain closed at this stage,” police said.
“Police appreciate the ongoing co-operation of motorists and residents this morning and would like to reassure the public that we’re working to resolve the incident as quickly as possible.”
Henderson resident Mark Vaisole dropped off his father at a workplace in View Rd shortly before 7am.
When he returned home, his father called to tell him police had stopped all traffic in the area and were putting the streets into lockdown.
Police subsequently told the employees to shut the gates of the business and lock the doors.
”I just called him again now,” said Vaisole of his father. ”They’re still in lockdown but they’re still working away.”
At 10am, five police officers could be seen outside a property in View Rd, just down from Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Earlier, a resident driving past Newington St at 7.15am said there were several armed police at the scene: “They were everywhere.”
The resident said at the View Rd end of Newington Rd two armed officers were crouching on their knees standing guard.
Two more patrol cars with lights and four more armed officers were stationed at the park behind the Briscoes.
A parent of a Henderson High School student said she had been detoured multiple times, trying to drop her daughter at school.
”It’s absolutely packed, you can’t go down View Rd, Great North Rd, I have to get through the back way to get her to school,” she said.
The parent said there were armed police at the Holy Cross Catholic School premises.
The nearby Holy Cross Catholic School told parents it was in lockdown.
Several teachers and children who had already arrived at the primary school were safe in a classroom.
“There is a police lockdown ... do not come to school,” the message said.
The school also posted on its Facebook page: “Keep your children home. School in lockdown.”
Henderson High School said it was “still open” today, as was Henderson Primary School.
A Newington Rd resident told the Herald that a police car and two armed police officers were at the house beside theirs.
“So far there is a police car in front of the house beside us.
“My daughter goes to Holy Cross School nearby and that has been closed we have been advised to stay inside. My kids are freaking out. It is just a scary situation.“
A shooting incident happened more than six months ago in another house on the street, the resident said.
Another resident driving through the area said the police cordon stretched from Westfield towards Sunnyvale. The road was blocked from the shopping centre right along the main arterial route.
The commuter was turned around by a civilian helping direct traffic. ”We saw some armed police, one officer was leaning on a car but it was in the distance.”
A receptionist at nearby Hauraki Brewing said she hadn’t been talked to by police about the incident, she just knew the road was closed off.
Workers gathered outside a cordon, waiting to see if they would be allowed into their office.
A woman said she arrived just before 9am to find the area cordoned off and police outside.
Auckland Transport confirmed an incident had occurred as it reported several bus routes through the area had been disrupted.
The transport agency said the incident was on View Rd between Railside Ave and Newington Rd.
As a result, the 152 and school bus services 022, as well as 050 had been detoured “until further notice”.
Emergency services were called to the scene about 8.30pm.