Police seek witnesses to execution-style killing

Police are urging witnesses to come forward as they investigate the execution-style slaying of a man at an east Auckland property on Sunday night.

Police were called after neighbour saw the man's body lying at the end of a driveway of a house in to Tullis Place, Botany Downs, about 7.45pm.

It was originally reported that the man died from stab wounds but police revealed yesterday afternoon that he had died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry said a firearm had been recovered from the house but it had not yet been established whether it was the murder weapon.

No one was at the house when police arrived but it was believed that other people were there when the shooting occurred, and Mr Gutry urged them and any other witnesses to come forward.

He did not believe the killing meant there was a threat to public safety.

The victim, who police have a name for but who has yet to be formally identified, was not thought to live at the house.

Police hoped to have the results of a post mortem today. Meanwhile, a scene examination was continuing.

- NZPA