Wellington police hunt alleged offenders involved in Churton Park assault

Police investigating an assault in Churton Park, Wellington, are seeking help to identify three men seen at a Mobil gas station. Photo / NZ Police

A group of masked men allegedly stormed a party and assaulted young people in a violent, unprovoked attack.

Police are searching for information about three men in relation to the serious assaults that happened in the Wellington suburb of Churton Park.

Police were called to an address in the suburb on December 13, where a gathering was taking place.

Acting Detective Sergeant Laura Murdoch said about 90 young people were there at the supervised, invitation-only party.

“Around 10.30pm, four people arrived uninvited. The alleged offenders were masked and one was armed with a weapon.”

“They then conducted a planned, violent, unprovoked assault on seven young people before fleeing the area,” Murdoch said.

“The seven people received a range of injuries, from minor bruising to a fractured skull, which required surgery.

“They are now all home and recovering from their injuries.”

Murdoch said police have been speaking with the victims and the large number of witnesses.

One of the men police want to speak to was wearing a black hoodie with "Lakers" printed on the front, dark-coloured shorts, white sneakers and had a diamante stud. Photo / NZ Police

“Our inquiries into the incident have established the alleged offenders attended the Mobil gas station in Johnsonville around 20 minutes prior to the assault.”

An 18-year-old Tawa man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to injure, and common assault.

He is due to appear in Wellington District Court on January 29.

Murdoch said police were now appealing for information from the public that would help them identify three other people seen on security cameras.

“We believe they could assist in our inquiries.”

One man was wearing a “36″ Pittsburgh Steelers NFL jersey, light-coloured denim shorts and blue and white basketball sneakers.

The second man wore a black hoodie with “Lakers” printed on the front, dark-coloured shorts, white sneakers and had a diamante stud earring in their left ear.

A third person cannot be seen in the images, however, they have been described as wearing a grey hoodie, beige/grey shorts and black sneakers.

“If you know who these men may be, or attended the gathering, please get in touch with us online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking ‘Update report’, using the reference number 251217/8772,” Murdoch said.

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