Four members of the public have been stabbed at Murrays Bay on Auckland's North Shore. Video / NZ Herald
A 41-year-old man has been granted name suppression after appearing in court over "random" stabbings that injured four people on Auckland's North Shore.
The man has been charged with assault and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm after the stabbings in Auckland's Murrays Bay yesterday.
He appeared in Waitakere District Court this morning and was granted name suppression.
The man did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody to reappear in court on Monday.
The accused faces a charge of assault and four counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
"Police would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident," police said earlier today.
"People may notice an increased police presence in the Murrays Bay and Mairangi Bay area as the investigation into the incident continues."
A knife recovered at the scene of yesterday's 'random' stabbings. Photo / RNZ
Police had said that a display of "extreme bravery" by members of the public helped capture the suspect in Mairangi Bay yesterday, after four people were stabbed in a "random" attack at neighbouring Murrays Bay.
One of the bystanders used a crutch to bring the suspect to the ground.
Police arrived shortly after and handcuffed the offender.
Waitematā District commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said yesterday that the group's brave actions likely saved others from harm.
"There were members of the public that acted in extreme bravery, they apprehended the offender and brought this incident to its conclusion," she said.
"It could've been a lot worse and that's why I really need to acknowledge the bravery of those members of the public."
The four stabbing victims suffered moderate wounds, but the attacks left many more locals shocked.
Hassan described it as an isolated and random incident. There was no indication it was a hate crime, she said.
It occurred just before midday in broad daylight on normally peaceful streets.
Witnesses dialled their first emergency calls in to police at about 11.18am, with Hassan saying the offender initially approached a house on Westbourne Rd in Murrays Bay where he stabbed "an occupant of the property".
He then left the home and headed towards Murrays Bay Beach and a bus stop where three more people were stabbed.
The man then made his way towards Mairangi Bay to the south before members of the public stopped him.
Hassan said that while police generally discouraged the public intervening in violent incidents, they greatly appreciated the bravery of those who yesterday put their personal safety aside to protect others.
