Shot man was part-owner of karaoke bar

A man shot dead outside an Auckland karaoke bar early today was the part-owner and manager of the business.

He was Tam Yam Ah, 38, who was gunned down in the car park behind the Top Karaoke Bar on Symonds St in the inner city around 5am.

Police said Mr Tam lived in a set of flats overlooking the murder scene, which had been cordoned off since police were called shortly after 4.45am.

Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Benefield said a post-mortem examination this afternoon confirmed Mr Tam died after being shot once in the chest.

Robbery did not appear to be a motive in the killing, he said.

The police inquiry team had spoken to people who were near where Mr Tam was shot.

However, progress was slow because police were dealing with people whose first language was not English.

"We've been joined by members of the Asian crime unit and other staff from throughout the greater Auckland region," Mr Benefield said.

He urged members of the public with information about who the killer might be to contact Auckland central police.

Earlier, police said Mr Tam was shot dead as he got into or out of his car.

The gunman walked up to him, shot him and fled on foot.

Residents said there was rising concern following the second murder in the area in recent weeks.

The killing follows the death of a dairy worker in Eden Terrace on June 19. A 25-year-old man has been charged with the dairy worker's murder.

Local gym owner Justin Thomson said: "People are sort of freaked out a bit because they just don't know from day to day now what is going on."

Police spokeswoman Noreen Hegarty said this morning: "There were people around when he was shot. We are not quite sure of the circumstances yet but it was somebody on foot."

Ms Hegarty added that there was no sign of a weapon and no sign yet of the gunman.

Police cordoned off the scene and part of Symonds Street was closed between Newton Road and the motorway off-ramp.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB