Boy dies during game with gun

The site of the shooting at Tutamoe Station. Photo / Herald on Sunday

An 11-year-old boy has been shot dead while he and a cousin played with an unsecured high-powered rifle.

Triston Jermaine Papuni, of Anaura Bay, on the East Cape, died about 4.30pm on Friday when the rifle discharged as he and his 12-year-old cousin passed the gun between them.

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Scott said the boys were at a relative's house when the shooting happened. It is not known which boy pulled the trigger.

"We may never know, it was just a kid thing," said Scott.

"At the end of the day the firearm should have been locked away."

The owner of the gun has been identified. He is the owner of the property the boys were on and was unavailable for comment last night.

Scott said the man had been interviewed by police but no charges had been laid. He could not say if charges would be laid because the investigation was ongoing.

"It's two-pronged ... what happened and how did Triston come to be shot and where did that firearm come from."

Triston was shot in the chest. A 17-year-old cousin of Triston's was also in the house at the time of the shooting.

It is understood both cousins ran for help after Triston was shot, but he died before emergency services reached the remote house on Tutamoe Station, about 30km west of Tolaga Bay.

Triston's father Thomas Papuni was devastated yesterday. Years ago he and wife Leanne lost a two-year-old son to cot death.

"He loved everything," Thomas said. "They only had a couple more days left before school started. They were staying with one of my nephews up the back of the farm."

Triston and his two cousins were playing while the parents were out.

Thomas said the kids were having "maybe too much fun" when the gun discharged.

Triston's aunty, Mary Papuni said there was no anger about what had happened. "We are all one family," she said. "There's no one to blame. Accidents happen."

She said family from Australia and Auckland were preparing for the tangi at Hinetamatea marae.

The family are waiting for Triston's body to be returned from Auckland where an autopsy took place.

His body is due back today.

Another aunty, who asked not to be named, said: "It is a tragedy. I don't blame the families where he was holidaying. It's just one of these things that happened. We just have to move on."

Tolaga Bay Area School principal Nori Parata said Triston was a "very clever young man".

The close community was still trying to come to terms with the sudden loss.

"Triston had a zest for life," Parata said. "He was a really lively kid, who kept us on our toes.

"School starts back on Monday ... It's a small, close-knit community so there won't be anyone in the community that won't be touched by this."