Another arrest over Taita murder

Police at the scene in Taita, Lower Hutt where Adam Watkins' body was found. Photo / Sam James

Another person has been arrested after the murder of Adam Watkins.

A week ago, 39 year-old Mr Watkins was shot dead in Taita, Lower Hutt.

One man and one woman were already in custody but today police arrested and charged a 38 year-old Hutt Valley woman with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The woman arrested today knew Mr Watkins and other people who lived at the High St house where he was killed.

Police have told High St residents they needn't worry because the killing was not a home invasion or random act.

There were reports of Mr Watkins rampaging with a machete prior to his killing and neighbours said there was a fight at the house before the shooting.

"Apparently there was a bit of a mean rumble inside," one source told NZME.

A group of three High St neighbours said Mr Watkins and his girlfriend had been hoping to move away and start a new life, before he was killed.

"He was her life," one local said.

Another Taita resident said her neighbour heard a "pop of the gun" and saw two people flee the scene.

"There was a man and woman ran away. The woman had no shoes on."

She said screams were heard and an eyewitness saw "a man lying in the driveway bleeding."

The woman said Taita was normally a peaceful area. "It's a terrible thing to have happened."

The day after the homicide, police charged a 29-year-old man with being an accessory after the fact to murder.

He appeared in court on Saturday, but a 19 year-old woman police accused of killing Mr Watkins was not caught until later that day.

Detective Senior Sergeant Warwick McKee from Wellington District Criminal Investigation Branch said today's arrest was a relief for the community and for Mr Watkins' family.