Screams and police dogs' barks were heard from within a Christchurch property as armed officers arrested a man during a three-hour stand-off. Photo / George Heard
Three people charged in connection to the death of a teenage boy shot dead at a birthday party in Christchurch at the weekend have all been remanded in custody while the police probe is ongoing, and a man remains on the run.
Connor Whitehead, 16, was allegedly shot dead outside a property in Heaphy Place in Casebrook on Friday night.
Four people have been arrested and police are seeking a fifth person.
Three people have been charged with being an "accessory after the fact to murder".
They are a 46-year-old man and two women, aged 36 and 43 – who all appeared at Christchurch District Court.
Judge Tony Couch granted interim name suppression for all three defendants on the grounds of fair trial rights, with the police investigation ongoing.
Family members, including Whitehead's father, sat in the public gallery for earlier appearances, clutching framed photographs of the slain teenager.
The 46-year-old man's lawyer Josh Lucas made an application for bail, which was opposed by police.
Police allege he comforted a man by "allowing him to stay at his address overnight in order to enable him to avoid arrest".
Judge Couch declined bail and remanded him in custody without plea to the High Court in Christchurch on November 26.
The issue of name suppression will have to be argued fully at the next appearance, the judge told the court.
The two women - accused of helping individuals over the weekend - were also both declined bail and remanded in custody to the same date.
The maximum penalty for a charge of accessory after the fact to murder is seven years.
A 32-year-old man, arrested after a raid at a Burnside house yesterday, is assisting police with their inquiries, Detective Senior Sergeant Nicola Reeves said this morning.
The Herald understands that the man is in hospital with injuries sustained during his arrest, with police believing he was the gunman. No charges have yet been laid and he has not yet appeared in court.
"We are devastated by Connor's death and still trying to come to terms with what has occurred," the family said in a statement today.
"We are in shock and want answers about what happened to our beloved son, brother, and friend.
"The magnitude of this senseless loss hasn't begun to sink in.
"Connor was dearly loved, and his passing has left a huge hole in our lives.
"He was a kind, talented and deeply loyal young man who had such a bright future ahead of him.
"Connor was in no way connected to, or affiliated with, the people who are responsible for his death."
A Givealittle page set up to support the Whitehead family has raised more than $12,000.
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