Ponsonby Rd ​​shooting: New footage shows man wanted by police moments after shooting

A man wanted by police was captured on CCTV footage talking on a mobile phone and walking relaxed immediately after the Ponsonby Rd ​​shooting that left one man dead on Sunday night.

CCTV footage shared with the Herald shows the man entering the scene at 10.17pm, two minutes after shots were fired at 10.15pm.

He can be seen looking at his cell phone and appears to be making a call on the device as he walks away from the scene of the shooting.

Rewatch the scene several times, but continue walking south toward Richmond Rd.

Ron Haver, owner of Sol’s Place, a shop just yards from the scene of the shooting, said he closed after an event at 9:45 p.m.

He is happy to be able to reopen his cafe and bar today.

Yesterday, Detective Inspector Chris Barry said the suspected shooter had been left on the street after being refused entry to a pub. He then fired multiple shots at a group that had just gotten out of a car, killing one man.

Haver said the group of people who were shot were regulars at a nearby bar.

“They were just innocent guys,” Haver told the Herald.

He said the owner of the nearby bar was “very upset.”

Police received “number of calls”

Auckland Police are analyzing evidence they have received about the man described as extremely dangerous after Sunday night’s fatal shooting on Ponsonby Rd.

In an update this morning, police said they were reviewing “several” calls with information about the ongoing investigation.

“We continue to ask anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the man to contact police immediately on 111,” a spokesperson said.

Security camera footage captured the suspect standing outside a pizzeria. He was of large build, with short dark hair, a mustache and a beard along his jaw.

The suspect had a tattoo on his left forearm that appeared to say “Brother,” and was carrying a man bag – where police said he likely carried his gun – and distinctive jewelry. He had a bracelet on his right arm, a watch on his left, and a very large, square-shaped signet ring on his left ring finger.

Barry said: “This man is considered extremely dangerous and the public should not approach him. If you see him or know who he is, call 111 immediately.”

The alleged murderer

Police have little information in the initial stage of the investigation: a witness saw a body lying on the ground

Emergency services responded to reports that someone had been shot on Ponsonby Rd ​​at around 10.18pm on Sunday. A man was found dead outside Saben and Glengarry Wines when officers arrived.

About two dozen armed officers arrived at the scene from all directions. The Eagle police helicopter was flying over the area.

A hearse arrived at the scene at 1.50 am and took away the body. A specialist team of detectives and a police forensic photographer worked at the scene overnight.

“I saw the body,” a man who worked on Ponsonby Rd ​​told the newspaper. Herald.

There were screams and screams after the man was shot, he said.

He said he had worked on the streets for 30 years and was “shaking” about returning to work this morning after seeing last night’s brutal murder. Others the Herald The people I spoke to on the street were equally scared.

Detective Inspector Barry held a press conference at the scene yesterday, showing photographs of the wanted man and sharing details of his movements before he allegedly shot his victim.

The suspect tried to enter a pub but was turned away as it was closing, Barry said. He then stopped at the end of Richmond Rd.

A group of four people, including the victim, got out of their car around 10:15 p.m. They walked in the direction of the suspect. The shooting occurred after this, Barry said.

After opening fire, the man was seen walking south on Ponsonby Rd ​​towards Richmond Rd after the incident.

Regarding the possibility that the criminal had fled the country, Barry said police were following the usual lines of investigation for this type of incident, but did not confirm whether they were working with Customs.

He said anyone possibly helping to hide the man would be prosecuted.

Barry said little else, saying it was too early in the investigation to have a full picture of what happened. He said police did not know what the possible motive behind the shooting was and that it was “hard to say” if it was gang-related.

“We’re less than 24 hours into the investigation, so it’s too early to comment,” he said.

“We know that there is unrest in the community. “We would like to reassure the residents of Ponsonby that a dedicated police team is working diligently to hold this person to account.”

Anyone with information for police can report it by calling 105 or visiting www.police.govt.nz. Individuals should refer to file number 240506/9353.

Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

Bar patrons hear gunshots: people on the street are terrified: cordons in place, road closed

Customers in pubs near the scene told Herald They heard gunshots while they were inside. People ran into the street after the burst of gunfire and two bouncers ran to help the victim.

A man told Herald: “I thought they were fireworks. Suddenly people ran away.”

A nearby resident said he heard “a gunshot and then all hell broke loose.”

Chapel bar co-owner Kyle Anderson said two bouncers from his establishment came to tend to the victim shortly after the shooting.

The bar manager closed the doors as soon as the shooting occurred to protect customers, he said.

Police closed the street on Sunday night and cordoned off the crime scene. Ponsonby Rd ​​was closed between Franklin Rd, Richmond Rd and Picton St.

All traffic, including buses, was diverted from this stretch of road and delays were expected in the area. The 340-metre stretch of road was heavily guarded by armed police on Monday morning.

Detective Inspector Barry said police planned to lift the wider cordon mid-afternoon yesterday. Auckland Transport said traffic returned to the road shortly after 3 p.m.

The immediate crime scene remained off limits when the Herald visited at 4 pm. The police let in a group that seemed to bless the place. A woman and a child, separated from the group, met those doing the blessing and hugged each other. Then they sang.

“This violence is shocking” – local parliamentarian

Premier Christopher Luxon said the incident was tragic but it would be inappropriate to comment further given the ongoing police investigation. He said he had only been informed of what he had been publicly informed of.

Auckland Central MP Chlöe Swarbrick said she had been briefed by the police area commander this morning.

“This violence is shocking and has no place here,” Swarbrick said.

Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said she was thinking of the people of Ponsonby.

“This will be worrying for businesses and residents. “It is important to let the police investigate fully and I am sure they will update as they have more information,” Simpson said.

Ponsonby Business Association general manager Viv Rosenburg said they were “shocked and saddened”.

Sunday’s shooting on the street in an affluent area of ​​Auckland recalled one of the city’s first and best-known shootings; the machine gun murders on Bassett Rd.

On December 7, 1963, two underworld figures were shot dead in a beer hall on quiet Remuera Street.

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter covering breaking news. She has worked for him Herald from 2022.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter covering breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.