Police release photo of Wipuhara Kapene, wanted for murder of Albert Enoka in Naenae shooting

Wipuhara Kapene, 28, is wanted for the murder of Albert Enoka in Naenae, Lower Hutt. Photo / Police

THREE KEY FACTS

• Albert Enoka, a former Rebels gang president, was shot dead in Lower Hutt last week.
• Police are on the hunt for 28-year-old Wipuhara Kapene and say he is dangerous and should not be approached.
• Police have warned anyone harbouring or helping Kapene may be prosecuted.

Police have released the name and photo of a man wanted for the murder of a former gang president who was shot dead in a Lower Hutt street last week.

Officers are preparing for a gang tangi tomorrow after 39-year-old Albert Enoka died from his injuries on Tuesday afternoon.

There is a warrant to arrest 28-year-old Wipuhara Kapene, who Detective Inspector Haley Ryan said was “wanted for murder”.

It is understood Kapene is a Black Power gang member.

Police say Wipuhara Kapene, 28, is wanted for the murder of Albert Enoka in Naenae, Lower Hutt. Photo / Police

“As a result of our inquiries, a warrant for Kapene’s arrest was issued this morning,” Ryan said.

“Police consider Kapene to be armed and dangerous, and he should not be approached. If you see him, call 111 immediately.”

Information after the fact can be reported to police online now or via 105. Please use the reference number 241210/3356, or reference Operation Ratio. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.

“It is likely Kapene is receiving help, and police will look to prosecute anyone harbouring or assisting him,” Ryan said.

Albert Enoka, also known as Alby, died yesterday after being shot in Lower Hutt.

“Please contact police immediately if you have any information that may help.”

Police have also said they will be monitoring the funeral of a “prominent gang member” - understood to be Enoka - in Hutt Valley and Porirua tomorrow.

The funeral for the man, who they described as the victim of last week’s homicide in Naenae, is due to take place in Lower Hutt tomorrow morning, with a procession to Whenua Tapu Cemetery in Porirua afterwards.

Hutt Valley Acting Area Commander Inspector Shaun Lingard said police would “maintain a visible presence in Lower Hutt tomorrow morning and will monitor the procession through Lower Hutt to Porirua”.

“Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and those who will be gathering to mourn, and our role is to allow them to do so safely and respectfully, within the law.”

Lingard said police would not tolerate unlawful activity, including breaches of the new Gangs Act, and anyone who is seen to break the law can expect enforcement action, either at the time or after the fact.

There is likely to be some traffic disruption in the late morning in Lower Hutt, particularly around Wainuiomata, Lower Hutt and the highway network between the Hutt Valley and Porirua.

Detective Inspector John Van Den Heuvel speaks to media about the homicide investigation. Photo / Melissa Nightingale

Motorists should expect some temporary disruption and should plan accordingly.

Police were nearby when Enoka was shot last week after a verbal altercation on Seddon Street, but despite arriving on the scene within five minutes, they did not see the shooter or his associates and could not save the former Rebels gang president.

District manager of criminal investigations, Detective Inspector John Van Den Heuvel, earlier told media the shooter was described as being about 30with a large build and full facial tattoos covering his whole face, including forehead, cheeks and chin.

Police were quick to recover the getaway car yesterday - a black 2008 Mercedes Saloon, registration KRP453 - but had not found the gun used in the attack.

The car was found at a property on Judd Crescent, and police wanted to hear from anyone who saw it, Van Den Heuvel said.

While police were still working on what happened, “this does appear though to be an incident between known parties who are gang associates or gang members”.

“So you’re asking if there’s likely to be any retaliation? We don’t see any information to lead us to believe that.”

When asked whether police knew if the victim and attacker belonged to different gangs or the same gang, Van Den Heuvel said “we know the people involved have links to gangs and we’re still trying to unravel exactly what that looks like”.

He said police don’t yet know what the motive was for the shooting.

He urged anyone with information “big or small” to speak to police.

Police have cordoned off a property on Seddon St in Naenae. Photo / Melissa Nightingale

Enoka had been released from prison earlier this year, having served a lengthy stint for a violent home invasion and kidnapping in 2015.

He and a co-offender were jailed for the methamphetamine-fuelled crime, which happened because he believed his girlfriend was cheating on him.

Enoka received a 10-year prison sentence, which he later successfully appealed down to eight years and five months.

The appeal hinged on whether the court had given him enough of a discount for assistance he offered authorities, the details of which are suppressed.

One woman who lived on the street where the shooting happened said they arrived home and were told by police to “get inside and stay inside”.

Police remained at the scene of a shooting in Lower Hutt this morning. Photo / Melissa Nightingale

She said everybody on the street saw Enoka’s body, and she was concerned for her kids as they were getting home from school.

“It’s a sad turn of events,” she said.

Another woman, who said she had lived on Seddon St “forever”, was out the back of her property when she heard sirens and assumed the incident was further away.

When she eventually came out front she was told by police to go back inside.

The woman said what happened was “incredible” and she was “shocked”.

“It’s sad, really, I’m still shocked about it,” she said.

Another resident said the broad daylight attack was “just something to process, I guess”.

Melissa Nightingale is a Wellington-based reporter who covers crime, justice, and news in the capital. She joined the Herald in 2016 and has worked as a journalist for 10 years.