Triple stabbing: Man charged with murder

The man who was the subject of a manhunt after a triple stabbing on Auckland's North Shore this morning has been charged with murder.

Brent Scott, 45, was this evening charged with one count of murder and two of attempted murder.

He would appear in North Shore District Court tomorrow morning, police said.

The family asked for privacy. Police said they would make no further comment as the matter was now before the courts.

Emergency services were called to the Mahoney Drive address just before 9am today, where three people were lying injured outside the property.

Despite their efforts, Scott's ex-wife Heidi Welman-Scott, 41, died at the scene.

Their daughter Taryn Welman, 22, was taken to hospital by ambulance, and her 22 year-old partner was flown to hospital by Westpac Rescue Helicopter.

Both had undergone surgery and were in a serious but stable condition in hospital, police said.

A manhunt was launched across the North Shore, which involved the lockdown of three schools in the surrounding area, after the stabbings.

Police organised for an alert to be placed on the wanted man to ensure that he was unable to leave the country.

As a result of that alert, he was stopped at the airport and detail by airport police until detectives arrived. He had been driven to the airport by a friend, police said.

A number of vehicles had been seized and would be forensically examined in the next few days, police said.

A scene examination was underway at the scene and was expected to take several days.

A weapon has not been located.

At a press conference this afternoon, Detective Inspector Bruce Scott said the couple's other child, a 14-year-old boy, was at Rangitoto College when the incident occurred.

Brent Scott's former wife Heidi Welman-Scott. Photo / Supplied

The weapon used in the incident had not been recovered but it was believed to be a knife or other sharp implement.

The 14-year-old son was being looked after by wider family members and had been with his sister in hospital today, Mr Scott said.

Mr Scott noted that the incident took place during White Ribbon Week, which aims to end domestic violence.

Scott is listed as the sole director of Warthog Blade Sharpeners NZ Limited, which has a head office in South Africa.

The website says it began operating in 1999 and had been manufacturing and exporting a "patented high-quality diamond knife sharpeners for more than 10 years".

Director of the Capetown-based company Hein Pretorius said Scott had contacted the company about 18 months ago and became New Zealand's franchisee selling knife sharpening products.

Scott had placed several orders for the company's products however he recently informed the company he would no longer continue to sell them.

Mr Pretorius said Scott, who is listed on the electoral role as a service technician and by the companies office as a director of Warthog Blade Sharpeners NZ Ltd, had told him he worked full time in a factory.

No one at the company in South Africa had ever met Scott.

Police at the scene of a triple stabbing in the area of Mahoney Drive, Albany. Photo / Chris Gorman

A resident who lives next to Albany Primary School school said he saw police and ambulance staff swarming about 9am. Soon after, he saw an ambulance arrive back from beyond the cordon and saw one person moved into the rescue helicopter.

"They backed into the school an ambulance staff and the helicopter crew carried him. He was definitely moving. He looked sort of dazed and confused," Marshall Cavallo said.

The man appeared to be in his 20s, he said.

Schools that went into lockdown included Albany Primary School, Kristin School, and as far away as Rangitoto College 6km away.

Albany Primary School principal Maree Bathurst said the students at the school were now okay.

Brent Scott

"We ensured everybody was inside and nobody moved until we had spoken with police. Nobody entered the school grounds and nobody left.

"The children, at this point in time, have no idea what's happened."

A number of schools in the Albany area which were in lockdown all morning have now been told it is safe to reopen.

Neighbour reports hearing screaming

A Mahoney Drive resident said a neighbour had reported hearing screaming around 9am today.

A police cordon at the stabbing scene in Albany. Photo / Sam Sword

"The next-door neighbour told us that there was screaming and stuff. But it didn't last too long, so they didn't think it was anything bad.''

The resident, who asked not to be named, said there was a large police presence on the street and they had been told to stay inside.

"It's usually quite quiet. It's pretty peaceful...this is the first time I've heard of any violence here. It's a bit shocking.''

Man stabbed his partner - reports

There were reports from people connected to Rangitoto College that a man had stabbed his partner and had come to the school looking for his child.

A staff member at Rangitoto College told One News they understood "a student's dad has stabbed the mum and is now on the way here".

One mother who contacted NZME. News Service said her 15-year-old daughter had been locked inside her Rangitoto College classroom since earlier this morning.

The woman's daughter had been texting her from the classroom, and the pupils believed the man police were looking for was trying to reach the school.

"She said that whoever did it is looking for their child at Rangi," the mother said.

Police stop locals returning home on Bass Road at the cordon of the fatal stabbing. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Albany Primary School principal Maree Bathurst tals to parents at the cordon of a fatal stabbing. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Schools on lockdown

The students had been carrying out their own "investigations" into the incident, looking it up on the internet and following news websites for updates.

Many had been texting their parents telling them they were okay and filling them in on what has happened, she said.

Some of the pupils had been scared, she said, but being able to stay in touch with their parents had helped them.

A number of daycare centres and other schools were also believed to have been warned about the incident, the mother said.

Resident: 'It's too close to home.'

A resident from a property beyond the police cordon said it was scary waiting and not knowing what was happening.

Kate Sherson had been stuck outside the cordon on Bass Rd since 9am, while her 16-year-old daughter was alone at home.

"It's a bit scary. It's too close to home," she said.

"One of my kids is at home too, which is scary. I have been on the phone to her. I've just told her to sit tight and keep everything locked. I haven't told her they're looking for anyone."

She'd seen police dogs come and go and had been watching the search helicopters circling above.

"They haven't really told us anything. We're just waiting. There's nothing else you can do but wait.

"It's just frustrating that they haven't got him yet. He could've gone in any direction. And we've got kids at home and can't get to them."

Shown a picture of the suspect, Ms Sherson and other neighbours locked out by the cordon said they had never seen the man.

- NZME. / Newstalk ZB / NZ Herald