Manslaughter charge laid following fatal Mangere shooting of 2-year-old

The police cordon at the scene of the shooting. Photo / Jason Oxenham

A man has been charged with manslaughter over the fatal shooting of a 2-year-old in her Mangere home.

The man, in his 20s, came before Manukau District Court this afternoon having previously been charged with unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun following the shooting last month.

Today, charges of manslaughter and possessing cannabis for supply were added.

"Having under his control a firearm which, in the absence of care may endanger human life, omitted without lawful excuse to take reasonable precautions against such danger, thereby causing death," a police charge sheet read.

A brief appearance this morning saw Judge Brooke Gibson send the matter to the High Court and continue the interim suppression orders covering the defendant's identity.

The man was denied bail on his first appearance more than seven weeks ago but at a subsequent hearing, bail was granted.

Emergency services confirmed they were called to the Favona Rd address just before midday on June 2.

Neighbours reported hearing a loud bang - like gunfire - around that time, followed by hysterical screaming.

"Someone was crying really loudly. It was very sad sobbing," one neighbour said.

Family friend Sione Tatafu described the victim as a "daddy's girl".

"She was a smart little girl who loved to come kick it with the boys," he said.

The shooting happened as the family were moving out of the house, said Mr Tatafu, who grew up in Onehunga with the girl's father.

He said both sides of the girl's large, extended family were devastated.

No one who lived at the house held a firearms licence, Mr Tatafu said.

Manslaughter carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.