A homicide investigation is under way at an Auckland restaurant following a man’s death in the early hours of this morning.
Detective Senior Sergeant Ash Matthews said a man was found unresponsive after an assault in Mt Roskill.
Police were called to a commercial address on Richardson Rd at around 12.54 am. Although he received medical assistance, the man died at the scene.
At 10am, police and investigators in hazmat suits remained inside Richardson’s Restaurant, investigating the death.
A scene guard is in place as an examination is being conducted and police are working to establish what has occurred and who is responsible.
This morning two police officers were standing guard outside Richardson’s Restaurant.
A police emergency cordon was strung across the front of the restaurant as police investigated inside the business. An ambulance can be seen parked inside the cordon.
The bar is listed online at closing at 2am on Thursday.
The scene of the homicide is near a block of shops and alongside homes in suburban Mt Roskill.
A man working in the area said he didn’t know what had happened but it wasn’t a surprise to see police in this area.
“I came 7 o’clock this morning, I saw police and all the cordoned and I was worried something happened,” said a local business owner.
Another business owner who has been working in the area for almost 30 years said the bar was once very busy and the car park was always packed.
Within the last seven to eight years things had “really quietened down” at the restaurant so he was surprised to hear about the homicide.
“People used to hide in the bush and rob people there,” he said.
A local was shocked to hear the news and said these days it was mostly older people who played pokies who went to the bar.
A nearby neighbour said she didn’t hear the incident but said there was an armed robbery at the restaurant a few years ago.
”I’m so scared when someone knocks on the door.
”I’ve been living here for 15 years - I’m super scared now.”
Police urged anyone with information to contact them on 105 or anonymously on 0800 555 111 via Crime Stoppers.
Police have instructed holidaymakers to stay out of the water.