Loved ones have flooded social media with tributes for the gunman fatally wounded by police after a shooting rampage across West Auckland.
Friends and family have identified the man killed in Friday’s shooting as David Lolie Leka Fononga, 26.
“My ...heart can’t... I just saw you the other day,” a family member wrote on Facebook.
She said the pair were inseparable, and that Fononga deserved more.
“But I’m glad you always knew that we loved you. I’ll see you when the time is right.”
Another relative said he had been re-reading his conversations with Fononga.
“There’s so much I wish I could’ve done or said but damn this one hurts man,” he wrote.
Police shot Fononga outside the Henderson Police Station on Friday after he shot at police officers and tried to rob a cash-in-transit Armourguard van at the Henderson Gull petrol station.
Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said: “Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time”.
Terror-stricken residents ducked for cover and they watched in disbelief as the gunman pointed the barrel of his firearm out his car window and targeted police as he drove around West Auckland.
One witness described a furious “flurry of gunfire” as the rampage was brought to an end outside the police station.
A number of police cars were riddled with pellets and one showed a blast hole near the driver’s wheel. At least one officer was injured taking evasive action to avoid being fired on.
Hassan said the shooting was an “inexcusable act of violence” where the man shot at police “at least seven” times and possibly members of the public.
Waitematā councillor Shane Henderson said the shooting had left the community on edge.
“Residents are really fearful, they’re anxious, and they want to be reassured they’re safe [after] the terrible shooting.
“At the same time, I think [people] are really thankful that the police acted swiftly and controlled the situation without either officers or the public being hurt in such a dangerous situation,” he said.
“We need to wrap our arms around our loved ones and hold them close. Remember - we’re all a community together and we will get through this.”
Henderson said people were concerned about “trends around safety and crime” around the country.
“It’s something we have to get a handle on.
“I’m giving [police] space at the moment, but I’ve reached out today and hopefully we’ll connect when they’re ready to talk about the more preventative measures.”
Henderson had not spoken to the gunman’s family.
“I think it’s appropriate to give people space. They have lost a loved one, like everyone. I think it would be wrong of me at this stage to bowl into a situation like that.”
Fononga was already known to police. He had charges relating to drugs and violence, Hassan said.
Police were reviewing the shootings, and the Independent Police Conduct Authority had been notified as well as WorkSafe.
They continued their appeal for images, videos and dashcam or security footage of events.
Organisers of the hīkoi mō te Tiriti promoted a switch from the general roll.