Police are issuing the following statement on behalf of the family of Richard Leman.

There are no words that can truly describe the pain our family has lived with since Richard was taken from us.

A critical incident investigation remains ongoing following the Police involved shooting at Sylvia Park Shopping Centre on Thursday afternoon.

Overnight, Police completed a scene examination at the shopping centre.

Superintendent Sunny Patel, Auckland City District Commander, says a post-mortem examination is underway today.

“As part of completing the scene examination, Ngāti Paoa led a blessing at the scene last night,” he says.

Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel will speak to media at 7pm tonight, following a serious incident at Sylvia Park Shopping Centre this afternoon.

The standup will be held at the Auckland City Police Hub, 13-15 College Hill.

Interested media are asked to RSVP to [email protected]

ENDS.

Frankie Le Roy/NZ Police. 

Statement attributable to Superintendent Sunny Patel, Auckland City District Commander: 

An armed man fleeing from Police has been shot at Sylvia Park Shopping Centre this afternoon.

Earlier this afternoon, at around 2pm, Police received information about a theft of an air rifle at Gun City in Penrose.

The offender has fled in a vehicle and units have been dispatched.

The Police Eagle helicopter deployed to the area and has located the white Suzuki Swift travelling near Sylvia Park.

One person has died following a crash in Te Awamutu this morning.

The single vehicle crash at the intersection of Rickit Road and Hazelmere Cres was reported just after 9:20am.

The sole occupant of the vehicle died at the scene.

The road remains closed, and motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible.

ENDS

Issued by Police Media Centre 

Police acknowledge and accept the findings of the Independent Police Conduct Authority released today concerning a fatal unjustified pursuit three years ago.

On 13 July 2023, a road policing checkpoint was being carried out on Lincoln Road in Henderson. 

A Police motorcycle officer noticed a man weaving his own motorcycle through traffic and he was signalled to stop.

He failed to stop and a pursuit at high speed ensued, ending when the motorcycle crashed near Tauhinu Road, Greenhithe and resulting in the rider’s death.

Two shotguns and a variety of illicit substances have been seized and three people arrested in Hastings, Hawke’s Bay.

Attributable to Detective Inspector Scott Anderson:

A 63-year-old man accused of historic sexual offending is facing new charges.

Already charged with four counts of unlawful sexual connection with a male aged 12-16 and due to appear in Christchurch District Court on 25 August, the man was arrested today and charged with breaching bail and a new charge of unlawful sexual connection with a male aged 12-16.

He was due to appear in Auckland District Court this afternoon on the new charges, and currently has interim name suppression.

Southland Police investigating a serious crash in the Grove Bush area this week are appealing to the public for information to assist in our enquiries.

The crash occurred on Monday 10 August on the Grove Bush Road and Rakahoka Hedgehope Road intersection, around 5:20pm, involving a heavy vehicle stock truck and trailer and a white station wagon.

Detective Mason Middlemass says two people received injuries in the crash, and one of them remains in Critical Care in hospital.