Pizza worker told to lie on the floor, then killed

11.50am - by PATRICK GOWER and NZPA

MORE - The gunman who has killed two men during robberies in the past week forced pizza worker Marcus Doig to lie on the ground before he shot him in the head.

Mr Doig had already handed over what police said was a "pathetic" amount of cash, believed to be about $250.

The revelation about how Mr Doig died came this morning from the 23-year-old's parents, Peter and Sue, as they spoke publicly for the first time since the killing.

Police also revealed that the weapon used was a cut-down semi-automatic rifle.

Peter and Sue Doig said their son was doing nothing wrong and was co-operating with the gunman who robbed the Pakuranga Pizza Delivery Company eight days ago.

Mr and Mrs Doig spoke of the execution of their 23-year-old son at a media conference in Auckland today in the hope it would help police track down his killer after he claimed a second victim yesterday.

The same gunman is believed to have also shot dead without provocation ASB Bank teller John Vaughan, 44, in a lunchtime raid in the Auckland suburb of Mangere Bridge.

Today Mrs Doig said they felt a feeling of utter despair at the news of yesterday's slaying and it took them back to the terrible night they heard the news of Marcus' death.

Mr Doig said the family was stunned and could not believe it had happened a second time.

He said Marcus had co-operated with the gunman and had given him money, but was executed anyway.

"After he got the money that was his chance to run. But then he turned round and said to Marcus, 'Get down on the floor'.

"While he was getting down on the floor with his face facing the floor he got a bullet in the back of the head.

"How can you believe that?

"We don't go to war that way," Mr Doig said.

He said Marcus was never a threat to the gunman and his killing was no more than an execution.

In a carefully controlled voice, Mr Doig repeated the police plea for public help to track down the killer.

"Please give the police a call," Mr Doig said.

He said to tell Mr Vaughan's family how sorry they were over his senseless death seemed inadequate.

"I can't pull words out of the dictionary that describe such a thing.

"Words you use like sorry and disbelief are so simple and common. I cannot think of the words. They are not going to bring that chap back. They are not going to bring Marcus back."

Mr Doig said when they got the news yesterday of the latest killing they were "absolutely stunned".

"We went into the same sort of shock we went into the night Steve (inquiry head Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford) came around and told us about Marcus.

"We were stunned this could happen again."

The news yesterday was delivered 24 hours after Marcus Doig's funeral and came, said Mr Doig, as the family was still wondering how to rebuild their lives without him.

He said they had not thought about the gunman whom police have called a cold-blooded and ruthless killer.

Mr Doig said he did not know what he would do if he confronted him.

"I have no particular feeling toward the guy -- bad or good."

He said he believed a lack of discipline within society led to the increasing violence which had culminated in Marcus' death.

The responsibility to bring about change rested with the Government but had to be driven by society, Mr Doig said.

More discipline was needed in schools and the police needed more power and resources.

"If we put those three things in place that ought to make it work.

"There are many parents who want discipline but it is lost once the kids get to school and there is nothing there because it is influenced by other groups."

Mr and Mrs Doig described their son as a "wonderful, wonderful gentle boy".

"He was a sincere, caring, fun-loving person who had respect for people. He had a lot of fun but knew the boundaries," Mr Doig said.

He said they had discussed the dangers of his job but thought the worst he could get was a punch in the face from someone who opened the door when he delivered a pizza.

Mr Rutherford said more than 40 police had now joined the hunt for the gunman.

The hotline had received "dozens and dozens" of calls from around the country but none had yet named the killer.

He said it was not scaremongering or sensationalising, but realistic to say the gunman was capable of killing again.

"This is a young individual completely out of control. To say he is dangerous is an understatement."

Mr Rutherford repeated the police warning for businesses to "have a very good look at their security" and co-operate if confronted by the gunman.

"Even that might not be any insurance but you have got to do your best.

"We are doing our utmost but we can't put a policeman on every corner," he said.

Mr Rutherford said yesterday's killing elevated the status of the gunman to that of a serial killer.

He said the police hoped he would give himself up without a fight.

"We don't want any more human carnage but, on the other side of the coin, the stakes are high."

Mr Rutherford said all police had been warned to look after their own safety and that of the public if they confronted the man.

However, he refused to elaborate on what orders the armed offenders squad had been given, or if the man was to be shot on sight.

Police were also looking at other robberies or offences that might be linked with the gunman. A psychological profile might also be produced, he said.

Steve Rutherford said although it was clear the robber was a "madman" he did not believe he was insane.

Police had already had a plan in place to catch the killer before the latest death, the killing of a teller during a bank robbery in Mangere Bridge yesterday, but now had to "life the ante".

Mr Rutherford said police commissioner Rob Robinson would visit the inquiry headquarters later today.

The 40 detectives working on the case were adequate for now, he said.

"Anything I need, I can have."