A teenage girl who drove a stolen car at high speed in the lead-up to a motorway shooting that killed an innocent young courier is on the run.
Margaret Mann, 19, pleaded guilty to three charges relating to the police shooting that ended in the death of Halatau Naitoko, 17, and was due to be sentenced in April. But she failed to appear in the Auckland District Court and Detective Inspector Bernie Hollewand told the Herald a warrant had been issued for her arrest.
Mann was driving a stolen Toyota when Stephen Hohepa McDonald, 50, first pointed a firearm at police. He later fled from the vehicle, stealing two others in the hour-long pursuit and eventual shootout on the Northwestern Motorway in Auckland in January.
Mr Naitoko was caught in the crossfire and fatally shot by a police officer.
McDonald has pleaded guilty to 23 charges including firing at police, possessing a firearm, aggravated robbery and unlawfully getting into a vehicle. In the Auckland District Court on Tuesday, he said he had taken responsibility for his actions, "but what about the police officer who shot that kid?", he asked Judge Eddie Paul.
Judge Paul did not respond but granted name suppression to the officers involved in the shooting until McDonald's sentencing in September.
Chase accomplice on the run
Margaret Mann was involved in the lead-up to the motorway shooting. Photo / Supplied
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