Police shooting investigation could take some time

The scene following the shooting. Photo / Glenn Taylor

A clearer picture of how Lachan Kelly-Tumarae came to be shot dead by police could take some time, with police saying the investigation will be a "slow and meticulous process".

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) confirmed to NZPA two investigators were in Hawke's Bay today and visited the site where the 19-year-old was shot by an officer in Fernhill, 15km from Napier, about 1.30am yesterday.

Police are also conducting their own homicide investigation, as well as taking the lead role in the coronial inquiry.

Preliminary inquiries suggested Mr Kelly-Tumarae fired the shotgun he was carrying before being shot himself.

Detective Superintendent Andy Lovelock said today that police were still speaking with staff, family and possible witnesses to get a precise picture of the events leading up to and including the shooting.

"As you can imagine there are many facets to this inquiry and it will take some time to piece everything together and gather all the evidence we require," Mr Lovelock said.

"This will be a slow and meticulous process that will not be done in a hurry."

A forensic examination of the scene was continuing today, with ESR staff collecting a number of items for examination.

Mr Lovelock said police could not confirm any information about who fired the shots and how many were discharged.

"All this information comes under the umbrella of the investigation and is evidential, so we can't talk publicly about it at this stage," he said.

"A clearer picture will be revealed in the fullness of time."

Mr Kelly-Tumarae's uncle, James Tumarae, told NZPA the dead man was an only child who had been living in Christchurch with his mother since last June, and had returned to Hawke's Bay two weeks ago.

The family was devastated and "just blown away", Mr Tumarae said.

"He was a real laidback guy."

Mr Tumarae said his nephew had had gang affiliations in Hawke's Bay but the family had ``absolutely no idea'' what he was doing on the night he was shot.

"There's still a lot I don't know, I didn't realise that he pointed a firearm. It's just something that's totally out of his character."

Police Association president Greg O'Connor yesterday backed the officer who shot Mr Kelly-Tumarae.

"There'll be all sorts of speculation about what happened, the best thing to do, including speculation on what other alternatives (were available), is to wait for the results of the inquiries," he told NZPA.

"I'm confident, absolutely confident, that a properly conducted inquiry will satisfy anyone who takes an objective look at it, that the actions will be justified."

The news media and everyone involved should wait for the results of an IPCA inquiry and a homicide investigation headed by a senior officer from outside the district, he said.

Mr O'Connor would not comment on why a taser was not used.

Police first spotted Mr Kelly-Tumarae acting suspiciously near a vehicle parked on Wordsworth Crescent in suburban Maraenui.

He pointed a shotgun when approached and police retreated.

He then drove to Fernhill on the outskirts of Hastings in a relative's Nissan Primera station wagon and was followed at a distance by several police cars with flashing lights.

Mr Kelly-Tumarae stopped abruptly and got out of his car on Taihape Rd, near the intersection with Korokipo Rd, where he again pointed the shotgun at police before being shot.

Officers immediately attempted first aid but Mr Kelly-Tumarae died at Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital about 3am.

- NZPA