Did you know John?
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The mother of a boy bashed to death at his South Auckland home ordered two masked men to leave, telling them she would call the police.
But the armed men turned on her son, 14 year-old John Pokaihau-Rogers - also known as John Xavier Andrew Hapeta, and beat him to death in front of his terrified friends.
Detective Inspector John Tims said police do not believe the attack was random.
"The offenders had a purpose for going to the address," Mr Tims said.
The teenager was celebrating a birthday with family and friends at the residence in Justamere Place, Weymouth, when he and two others were attacked about 9pm on Tuesday.
Mr Tims said the three were standing between the garage and the house when John suffered "blunt-force trauma" to the back of his head.
One of his friends, a 13-year-old, suffered minor lacerations but wasn't badly hurt, and a gun was pointed at a 21-year-old's head.
Police were still hunting the attackers last night. They are described as Maori and were dressed in black.
John's grandmother, Queenie Pokaihau-Rogers, told the Herald from her Northland home she was struggling to understand how anyone could harm her "lovely grandson".
Family members had told her that John and two of his friends were downstairs with his mother when two masked men burst in through the back door.
"When they came in, I was told, she told them to move out. They didn't, and she said they better move or she would get the cops on to them."
Mrs Pokaihau-Rogers said she didn't know if her daughter-in-law had time to call the police before the fatal attack began.
Melanie Burns, from Karaka, said her 21-year-old son, Christopher, was drinking in the garage with John and another boy when the attackers appeared.
"One had a hammer, one had a gun", she said. "They didn't know the boy, they didn't know my son, they just came off the street."
A gun was put to Christopher's head, but he was not injured.
Forensic scientists spent much of yesterday at the Weymouth house looking for clues, but no weapons have been found and police are appealing to the public for help.
"We need information from the public, particularly those who live in and around the house," said Mr Tims.
"We would also like to hear from anyone who may know who these offenders are or what the motive for the attack may be."
Mrs Pokaihau-Rogers said her grandson was a good boy and the family did not know why he was targeted.
"I asked was it because Johnny was up to no good and they said, 'No he wasn't'. It sounds like a surprise to them, with the men just walking in and doing that."
She last saw her grandson about a month ago, when he came for a visit. He had cut his long hair short and enjoyed fishing and spending time with family.
John is understood to have attended James Cook High School last year before moving to Rosehill College in Papakura.
But his cousin Hemi Beattie said John had left school and had been working as a chef. He did not believe he was involved with gangs and was shocked at his death.
"I last saw him a couple of weeks ago. He was into normal stuff ... he was a gentle boy."
Neighbour Cheryl Johnston said John's mother was a "level-headed woman" who wanted him back in school and away from some of the people he was associating with.
WANTED
Attacker One
Male Maori.
Taller than 1.83m.
Black hoodie, black jeans.
Attacker Two
Maori, 18-20 years old.
About 1.8m, of stocky build.
Black hoodie (pocket on the front/no zip), black pants, black Chucks.
* Anyone with information can phone (0800) 587-826.
