- Armed police descended on an Onehunga street overnight near the scene of a fatal stabbing on a bus.
- Councillor Josephine Bartley said police have “strong leads” and are reviewing CCTV footage.
- Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Police Minister Mark Mitchell condemned the “cowardly and horrific” incident.
Police have provided an update this morning on the investigation into a fatal stabbing on a bus in Onehunga, Auckland, yesterday - confirming the victim was a woman unknown to the attacker.
Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson spoke from Auckland central police station in Freemans Bay.
Robertson released pictures of Kael Austin Leona - a suspect in the attack - who was identified on CCTV footage.
A female bus passenger died after being stabbed in Onehunga about 2.30pm yesterday.
She had been taken to hospital in a critical condition with multiple wounds.
Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward councillor Josephine Bartley told the Herald the police hunt for the offender is ongoing.
Armed police descended on Moana Ave in Onehunga last night, not far from the scene of the bus stabbing.
They cordoned off both sides of a house, with detectives seen entering the driveway of a home and questioning neighbours.
Police would not confirm this morning if the two incidents were related.
Bartley said: “I think ultimately the best reassurance our communities can get is that the police catch this person as soon as possible”.
She said Superintendent Scott Gemmel told her this morning police have “strong leads”.
“They will update me as soon as they find this person.”
She said Auckland Transport had given footage of the attack to police.
Emergency services, including Hato Hone St John, responded to the Church St, Onehunga, stabbing.
Shortly before 6pm, police confirmed the victim - a passenger - had died.
Speaking from the scene, police Inspector Danny Meade told the Herald one person had fled after the stabbing.
“We’re working incredibly hard to try to locate this offender; somewhere in the local area, we think.”
Minister of Transport and Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said he was “disgusted by the cowardly and horrific incident”.
“All New Zealanders deserve to be safe from harm when using public transport.”
Police Minister Mark Mitchell took to social media last night, calling the incident a “senseless homicide”.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim,” Mitchell said.
“This gratuitous violence has no place in our communities.”
Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.
Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
