Accused gunman's family sorry for neighbour's death

The offender crashed his vehicle after fleeing the property where the shootings took place. Photo / NZPA

The family of the man accused of the fatal shooting in northern Hawkes Bay has apologised for what happened.

Wilson Neil Apatu appeared in court today charged with the murder of Layden Rameka and the attempted murder of eight-year-old son Zepplen-Solly, in the shooting near Tutira yesterday afternoon.

The 39-year-old is also charged with aggravated robbery. Apatu entered no plea to the charges and will reappear in court in three weeks.

After the court appearance, an Apatu family spokesman expressed sorrow for what has happened.

"Our family's heart goes out to the victim's family, particularly his wife and children. And that's really all we've got to say."

Layden Rameka's aunty Rosie Hiha says the shooting victim was a great father to his six kids, who are all aged under 14.

"He was a good outgoing boy. Looked after his kids well, always helpful and things around the marae and pretty much into his sports."

Zepplen-Solly remains in Hawkes Bay Hospital in a comfortable condition after he was shot in the arm during the incident.

Apatu was arrested after Mr Rameka was shot dead and Zepplen-Solly injured in Waikoau, 45km northwest of Napier, about 2.30pm yesterday.

An anonymous resident told Radio New Zealand he had spoken to Apatu minutes before the shooting.

"He got called [expletive] and he went 'bro, I can't handle this', I went `what are you on about?'. So he hung up the phone.

"So I rung the people (the victim's neighbours) and warned them, says 'lock your f***ing doors, get your kids, get everybody inside' and they thought I was joking, they didn't heed my warning."

The resident said he held the victim's hand as he died.

It was reported that Mr Rameka was a patched Mongrel Mob member who had recently moved back to the area.

Apatu fled the scene in his own vehicle before crashing it.

Waikoau Road farmer Rex Bullock was outside his home when the car crashed and had expected its occupant to be dead.

"He flipped the car over...and squashed the roof, almost to the top of the seat," he told Radio New Zealand.

"When I went out to see if there was a dead body in it or not he was climbing out the other side, standing up [with] a cut on the top of his head."

Apatu then allegedly held up a couple at gunpoint and stole their vehicle. The couple were unharmed.

A source told NZPA that Apatu had had his firearms license revoked and had told people he wanted to "go out in a hail of bullets".

Apatu was arrested about 11.30pm at a relative's house in Clive, 10km south of Napier, after the relative contacted police.

Cordons were set up on all roads in and out of Clive and armed police surrounded the property before Apatu gave himself up, Detective Senior Sergeant Sean Hansen said.

Police wanted to talk to any witnesses who may have seen the shooting, she said.

- NZPA, NZ HERALD STAFF, NEWSTALK ZB