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Home / New Zealand

Police confirm name of gunman shot dead in Thames

NZ Herald
3 May, 2015 03:42 AM2 mins to read

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A Thames man shot by police after an armed stand-off in the town has been named.

A Thames man shot by police after an armed stand-off in the town has been named.

Police confirmed he was Vaughan William John Te Moananui, 33, of Thames.

Detective Inspector Chris Page of Waikato Police also confirmed Mr Te Moananui was the same person involved in an armed police callout at nearby Kopu earlier in the day.

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• Police shoot gun-wielding man in Thames

Vaughan Te Moananui. Photo / Facebook
Vaughan Te Moananui. Photo / Facebook
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Mr Page said police were sent after a "call for assistance" made about midday on Saturday.

Mr Te Moananui left before police arrived but the Armed Offenders Squad later found him at the Campbell St property.

"He was called upon to surrender, however he presented a firearm at police, at which point he was shot. Despite police instantly undertaking CPR, he was pronounced dead at Thames Hospital a short time later."

Mr Page also said initial police reports that Mr Te Moananui was in custody was "incorrect".

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"This was a mistaken belief at the time based on initial information. Police confirm that the dead man was not in custody at the time of the shooting."

The post mortem has been completed in Auckland and the cause of death will be determined by the Coroner.

A number of investigators from across the Waikato have been called across to Thames to assist with the scene examination, area inquiries and the investigation.

Inquiries were focussing on the activities of Mr Te Moananui yesterday and the preceding weeks.

Discover more

New Zealand

Armed officers callout situation resolved

01 May 05:40 AM
New Zealand|crime

Man dies in Thames firearms incident

02 May 09:20 AM
New Zealand|crime

Gunman shot dead in Coromandel

02 May 05:00 PM
New Zealand|crime

Family knew of shot man's 'demons'

03 May 05:00 PM

Police would like anyone who interacted with Mr Te Moananui recently, or saw any of the events from Saturday to please make contact with the Operation STROBE team at the Thames Police Station, Phone 07 8679600.

Waikato district commander Superintendent Bruce Bird said the incident was tragic for all involved.

Information can also be provided anonymously through the organisation Crimestoppers, ph 0800 555 111. Four investigations into this matter will run concurrently, including investigations commenced by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and the Coroner.

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