Pakuranga shooting: Homicide investigation launched after Auckland grandad gunned down in van

• A woman who tried to save a courier driver who was gunned down in Pakuranga says he was a doting grandfather.
• She said she had no idea why he would be targeted.
• Police are still on Marvon Downs Ave trying to piece together what took place.

A homicide investigation has been launched following the death of a man in the Auckland suburb of Pakuranga who was shot inside his van this morning.

Detective Inspector Shaun Vickers of the Counties Manukau CIB said the investigation is in the early stages to determine the full circumstances of what occurred.

“The community can expect to see an increased police presence in the area today and in coming days as we work to piece together what has led to this and who is responsible,” Vickers said.

“We are continuing to speak to a number of people in the area at the time and are keen to hear from anyone who hasn’t already spoken with us.”

Vickers said the man was located inside a vehicle with a gunshot wound and died at the scene despite efforts from first responders.

“Inquiries to locate the persons believed to be responsible remain ongoing.”

A post mortem examination and formal identification of the victim will be carried out over the coming days.

A woman who raced to the aid of the courier driver gunned down on the East Auckland street said he loved his grandkids and she had no clue why he was targeted.

The Marvon Downs Avenue resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said she ran out to the crashed van after hearing a volley of shots that sounded like “they were just outside [her] window”.

“I ran outside and saw our next-door neighbour’s courier van had driven into our neighbour’s fence.

The woman said she raced outside to the van, but her neighbour could not be saved. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

“As soon as I saw that, me and my partner ran over to see if he was still alive and if we could save him, but he was already gone.”

She believed the man, whom she would often wave to as he walked his dog, was in his 60s or 70s.

“He was a homebody … he loved his grandkids.”

She said it was unclear whether the victim was shot through the driver’s side or passenger’s side, as both windows had been smashed.

“He got shot at the intersection [of Pixie Place and Marvon Downs Ave] and then his vehicle had rolled into the fence.”

She said he had just begun his working day and there were no packages in his van. She had “no idea” who would target him.

She said nothing like this had ever happened on her street and everyone was “shocked”.

“It’s just ugly.”

Armed police descended on Marvon Downs Ave this morning. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

She said the area was still “crawling with police”, who had arrived at 6.40am.

Post Haste and Freightways have been approached for comment.

Pakuranga MP Simeon Brown was “horrified” by the shooting.

“This will be incredibly disturbing for the community and neighbours.”

A Marvon Downs Ave resident said he heard six gunshots.

“It sounded like a normal handgun.”

Another Pakuranga resident told the Herald from the cordon she heard five or six gunshots.

Police at the scene of the shooting incident at Marvon Downs Ave in Pakuranga. Photo / Jason Oxenham.

“They were louder than a firework going off. It sounded like a pop.

“They all went off within a few seconds.”

Detective Inspector Kerry Watson said from the cordon that it was a “critical incident”.

Armed police guarded entrances to the street and a section had been taped off.

Anyone who can provide information is urged to call police on 105 quoting the reference number P059690585.

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.