Police investigating the scene of a disorder event resulting in the death of Charles Pongi (inset) at the Taurima Reserve in Pt England in August. Photo/ Hayden Woodward
Police investigating the scene of a disorder event resulting in the death of Charles Pongi (inset) at the Taurima Reserve in Pt England in August. Photo/ Hayden Woodward
Auckland City Police have charged a man with murder after the gang killing of Charles Pongi in August.
The 32-year-old was allegedly shot when more than 70 gang members from the Head Hunters, Rebel MCs, and associates converged on the Taurima Reserve in Pt England on August 5 for an intended brawl.
Today, detectives and armed offenders executed five search warrants across the city, which led to police making two arrests.
“A 24-year old man from Mt Albert has since been charged with murder, assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm,” said Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin of Auckland City CIB.
“The second man, a 26-year-old from Weymouth, has been charged with discharging a firearm with intent to intimidate, and unlawful possession [of] a firearm, which police allege was part of the significant violence at the suburban park on 5 August.”
There was a heavy police presence on Hill Rd, Onehunga as the funeral took place for Charles Pongi.
Both men are due to appear in the Auckland District Court today.
Pongi died in Auckland City Hospital after taking himself there after he was shot.
He had been injured after a planned one-on-one fight between an associate of the Head Hunters and a member of the 36 Crips street gang.
Baldwin said the police investigation remains ongoing.
”Police would like to thank the Pt England community for their patience and their support while we have been making inquiries into this incident.
”The Operation Pastel team remains committed to holding further individuals to account.”
Anyone with information which may assist the investigation is asked to contact police on 105 quoting the file number 230805/0100 or by going online.
On August 5, Police were called to Taurima Reserve in Pt England about 2.40pm following several reports of disorder and sounds of gunshots.
At least 20 gunshots were fired that afternoon.
At the time, Police reassured the community that they believed the people involved in the incident were known to each other and there would be no ongoing risk.
An elderly man, who lives close to Taurima Reserve in Pt England told the Herald for an earlier report on that he had heard what sounded like a shootout.
“Two guns, with one gun going, ‘crack crack crack’.
“About six cracks, and I heard a ‘boom’ it was a gunshot,” he said.
