A 27-year-old man has appeared in court following Friday evening's shooting in Glendene, West Auckland.
Video / Supplied / NZ Herald
A patched Head Hunters member has pleaded guilty to the double murder of his ex-partner and her father - while he was on electronically monitored bail awaiting trial for another infamous Auckland shooting.
Mikaere Puata-Chaney, whose identity was kept secret until today due to fair trial rights, stood in the dock in the High Court at Auckland as he entered guilty pleas for both murder charges.
The courtroom gallery was filled to capacity with supporters for victims Eliza Trubuhovich and her father, Geoffrey Trubuhovich, who also had name suppression before today. The two were shot to death, along with Eliza Trubuhovich’s dog, at a Glendene property in July.
Puata-Chaney, 27, was arrested less than two hours later at a Te Atatu Peninsula home, surrendering without incident after armed officers confronted him.
Eliza Trubuhovich and her dog Rocka were shot along with her father Geoffrey Trubuhovich by her former partner Mikaere Puata-Chaney at their Glendene home on July 15, 2022. Image / Instagram
It can also be revealed for the first time today that Puata-Chaney was convicted late last year of having participated in the high-profile Sofitel lobby shooting amid a turf war between the Head Hunters and rival gang the Mongols.
That luxury hotel shooting, which took place on a busy weekday morning in April 2021, left staff members running for safety as a Mongols member was targeted. No one was injured but the shooting elicited a strong police response and media attention.
Geoffrey Trubuhovich was shot and killed along with his daughter, Eliza, and her dog at their Glendene home on July 15, 2022. Image / Facebook
While Puata-Chaney wasn’t the person who pulled the trigger during the Sofitel shooting, he was found guilty by a jury of discharging a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm because he aided the shooter.
Puata-Chaney was sentenced earlier this month to three years and five months’ imprisonment for the Sofitel incident, with the judge noting his lesser role in the shooting and his difficult upbringing. His mother was closely linked to Black Power and his father was a member of the Head Hunters, the judge noted, adding that the defendant left school at age 13 “and instead received an education in violence”.
He is set to be sentenced in July for the double-murder conviction.
An agreed summary of facts, outlining what happened on the day of the shooting, is expected to be submitted to the court next week.
Wearing a white T-shirt and sweatpants, Puata-Chaney paced a small circle between two guards today as he entered the guilty pleas, repeatedly looking back at family members who had travelled to the High Court for the hearing.
The other side of the courtroom was filled with people wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with the images of Eliza and Geoffrey Trubuhovich and Eliza’s dog, Rocka.
Police previously released Mikaere Puata-Chaney's images when he was wanted in relation to the Sofitel shooting investigation. Photo / Supplied
Eliza Trubuhovich, 34, worked as a freelance photographer, was formerly an international flight attendant and owned a streetwear store in Auckland.
“If you know El she was full of life, she had the biggest heart and her dad was just the same,” the fundraiser organiser wrote. “All the funds donated to this will be going directly to El’s mother who is on her way from the Philippines.
“She travelled there for her sister’s funeral and now has to come home to very tragic news.”
Mikaere Puata-Chaney (standing) appears in the High Court at Auckland ahead of the Sofitel shooting trial. His name and image were suppressed during the trial due to what had been his pending double-murder case. Photo / Michael Craig
During a joint funeral days after the shooting, mourners described Geoffrey Trubuhovich, 75, as a hero who died trying to protect his daughter - a final act of devotion to her.
In a written eulogy read aloud by another family member, Geoffrey Trubuhovich’s widow described him as “such a wonderful man” who still had so many “plans and dreams” he had wanted to share with her.
“I know you would’ve stayed if you’d had the power to, and spared me the grief and pain if you could,” she wrote.
“You’re a great hero, very strong and brave for our daughter … rest in peace, my love.”
The woman also described her daughter’s ability to make friends with ease and how she would go out of her way to help others “without expecting anything in return”.
“She was talented beyond belief, and her nature was sweet,” she said. “You’re my baby and always will be.”
Eliza Trubuhovich’s dog was also acknowledged at the funeral, with one mourner saying she hoped “there’s unlimited pairs of shoes … wherever you choose to chew your way through heaven”.
