A man accused of murdering an 8-year-old boy in Hamilton last night has appeared in court and been granted interim name suppression.
The 37-year-old appeared in the Hamilton District Court after he was arrested yesterday.
He was remanded in custody until his next appearance in two weeks.
A group in the court’s public gallery, anxious to see the accused, were kicked out after questioning delays for him to appear.
His alleged victim was Zahquiel John Thomas Patrick Taipeti.
Police say the boy was critically injured during a violent incident about 5.20pm yesterday at Anthony Cr in Bader, and two adults were injured and rushed to hospital.
Zahquiel was the son of Mitikiro Woods and Shannon Taipeti. Woods was one of the two adults injured in yesterday’s alleged attack. He remains in stable condition in hospital and is scheduled for surgery.
One neighbour reported seeing a man with blood on his face leave the property on a bike.
The accused also faces two charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to two other men.
Appearing on behalf of the accused this afternoon, duty solicitor Maria Young asked for a remand in custody without plea.
Community magistrate Ngaire Mascelle granted interim suppression and remanded the man in custody to the High Court at Hamilton on September 17.
A group of people waiting in the public gallery for the accused to be brought into court were kicked out after questioning the magistrate about why the man’s name was called, but then another defendant was called instead.
There was then an outburst from the public gallery as the murder-accused finally appeared.
Others who were in court cried throughout the man’s appearance.
Hamilton City field crime manager Inspector Darrell Harpur said this morning police had launched a homicide investigation.
Police were called around 5.20pm on Sunday to reports of a “violent altercation”. Three people were taken to hospital - the boy, with critical injuries, and two other adults who had moderate and serious injuries.
A neighbour told NZME she heard shouting coming from the property.
”It was quite aggressive shouting and I saw my neighbours go over and see what it was about.”
She said the street was normally “pretty quiet”.
”A lot of the houses in here are a little community.”
Another resident of the street, who also asked to be anonymous, said “people were coming and going all the time down there”.
”But once the ambulance turned up we knew it was different.”
He said he was aware the Bader neighbourhood had a reputation but had never had any negative experiences himself.
”It’s a pleasant street.”
Since the family’s announcement of Zahquiel’s death, friends and relatives have posted tributes online in his honour.
“You didn’t deserve this Zah. Fly home to the arms of your mum,” one online tribute said.
Another family member wrote: “Rest in eternal love little cousin. Give mummy big hugs and loves from all of us.”
“Go rock the heavens with your old lady, my boy,” posted another.
The family’s Facebook post said they planned to bring Zahquiel back “home” to Whakatane.
Police were called to the scene at 6.40am.