Teen shot by police died from gunshot wound

Lachan Kelly-Tumarae was shot and killed by police in the early hours of Monday, March 28. Photo / Supplied

A post-mortem examination has found the 19-year-old shot by police in rural Hawkes Bay yesterday died from a gunshot wound.

Lachan Kelly-Tumarae was shot by an officer in Fernhill, 15km from Napier, about 1.30am. He died later in hospital.

Police would not elaborate on Mr Kelly-Tumarae's injuries, saying that information was part of their investigation.

"We are still working our way through the investigation and any details relating to how he died are part of that process," Detective Superintendent Andy Lovelock said.

"There are several more people we have to interview and that will also help provide a clearer picture of the incident and events leading up to it."

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

Police confirmed they had collected bullet casings from police firearms as well as from Mr Kelly-Tumarae's weapon.

Mr Lovelock earlier said 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," he said.

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

A forensic examination of the scene was due to be completed tomorrow.

As well as the police homicide inquiry, the Independent Police Conduct Authority was also investigating.

Mr Kelly-Tumarae's uncle, James Tumarae, yesterday 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.

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

"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."

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.

- NZPA