Queen St homicide: Man wanted by police hands himself in, appears in court

The man wanted by police for a shooting on Auckland’s Queen St in August has handed himself in.

Auckland City CIB detective senior sergeant Craig Bolton said the 24-year-old man previously sought by police handed himself in at Auckland Central Police station this morning, following the August 3 incident.

“He is expected to appear on murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm charges in the Auckland District Court today,” said Bolton.

He briefly appeared via video link in court this afternoon, offered no plea and was granted interim name suppression. He was remanded in custody and will next appear in the High Court at Auckland on December 6.

Bolton thanked the wider community for sharing the appeal for the wanted man. ”I would also like to highlight the work of the Auckland City CIB, who have been investigating this matter for the past 15 weeks,” he said.

He said the investigation into the incident remained ongoing, and police could not rule out further charges being laid.

Victim remembered as an ‘angel’, ‘always polite’

Sione Tuuholoaki, 26, was shot on Queen St and died from his injuries in hospital two days later.

The shooter then allegedly fled the scene on a Lime scooter.

Sione Tuuholoaki was shot on Queen St and later died in hospital.

A witness told the Herald he heard multiple gunshots and people yelling, before looking out of the window to see a man lying on the ground and another being tended by police.

Tuuholoaki’s former workmates were shocked and saddened by the death of the “always polite, approachable and hardworking” 26-year-old.

He used to work in a distribution centre for The Warehouse Group, who extended their thoughts to his friends and family.

Electric scooters abandoned on lower Queen St following the shooting incident. Photo / Hayden Woodward

“Our team members remember him as a really nice person who was always polite, approachable and hardworking,” chief people officer Richard Parker told the Herald.

Friends described Tuuholoaki as “an old soul trapped in a young body” and an “angel” who impacted many.

The Herald understands he moved to New Zealand from Australia last year.

Woman accomplice pleads not guilty

Earlier this month, a woman accused of serving as the wanted man’s accomplice pleaded not guilty and was charged with being an accessory after the fact of Tuuholoaki’s murder.

She was arrested five weeks ago and made her first appearance in the Auckland District Court in October.

She was bailed to a home in Hamilton with conditions not to associate with co-offenders or witnesses and to surrender her passport.

Her case will go to trial in February 2025.