KEY POINTS:
The Mongrel Mob have shown no compassion over the actions of some of their members, say police investigating the fatal drive-by shooting of a Wanganui toddler who was laid to rest today.
Jhia Harmony Te Tua was shot dead as she slept in a house in Puriri St in suburban Gonville about 10pm on Saturday.
The shooting is alleged to be linked to rivalries between the Black Power and Mongrel Mob, and security is on high alert in Wanganui while police strive to ease tensions between the two gangs.
Two Mongrel Mob members have appeared in court on charges relating to events police say led up to the shooting, and more arrests are expected.
Inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Bensemann said today the Mongrel Mob appeared to have no comprehension as to the seriousness of Saturday's events and had shown no compassion over some members' actions.
"The senior members of the gang appear to have no influence or control over the actions of the junior members, prospec ts and associates," Mr Bensemann said.
Patch ban
Police are applauding the adherence of gang members to marae protocol at the tangi for Jhia Harmony Te Tua.
A large group of Black Power members turned up to Tukorehe Marae just south of Levin, for the tangi of Jhia Te Tua.
Levin's Maori liaison officer Gordon Ronganui says gang members were asked by the marae committee to adhere to a ban on alcohol, drugs and patches.
Mr Ronganui said, the gang members respected the protocol of the marae by turning their jackets inside out so their patches were not showing.
Police kept a low profile at the tangi, with just a couple of patrol cars stationed on the road and a couple of plain-clothed officers on the marae itself.
The biggest problem they had was traffic. The marae is on a very busy part of State Highway One south of Levin and many cars and people, some with prams, had to cross the road.
No news media
Tangi coordinators politely told news media they would not be permitted on the marae, or at any of the services for Jhia.
The girl's whanau wanted to be left alone, and the tangi was about the dead girl, not the controversial circumstances of her death.
The shooting is alleged to be linked to rivalries between the Black Power and Mongrel Mob, and security is at high alert in Wanganui while police strive to ease tensions between the two gangs.
Police have said they will attend the tangi, but their presence was so low key no uniformed officers could be seen.
There would be a private ceremony for family on the marae, followed by a funeral procession to Levin, where a cremation would take place at a funeral home.
A larger funeral service -- or tangi -- would be held at Tukorehe Marae tomorrow. Jhia's ashes would be taken back to Wanganui.
Yesterday, two men, aged 31 and 19, appeared in court facing charges relating to incidents on the day of the shooting.
Police said they were a patched Mongrel Mob member and a gang prospect.
Wanganui area commander Inspector Duncan MacLeod said a post mortem examination on Jhia's body revealed she had suffered a single gunshot wound to the chest.
"It is thought that she died instantly at the scene," he said.
Mr MacLeod said the police investigation had identified a number of incidents on the day of the toddler's death which police believed led up to the killing.
They also said they had located a car believed to be involved in Saturday's events and were appealing for sightings.
It is a dark grey Mitsubishi Galant, registration XI7794.
- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB
