Thames shooting: 'We loved him all the same'

Name: Raw: Police shoot gunman in Thames
Uploaded: 2015-05-03T14:02:55+12:00
Duration: 80 s
Description: Police shot dead a man who confronted them with a gun during an incident on the Coromandel yesterday. The Armed Offenders Squad and the Police Negotiation Team were called after police were alerted to a "significant threat of violence" about midday in Thames.

By Belinda Feek

Reporter·NZ Herald·

5 May, 2015 06:35 AM2 mins to read

Police shot dead a man who confronted them with a gun during an incident on the Coromandel yesterday. The Armed Offenders Squad and the Police Negotiation Team were called after police were alerted to a "significant threat of violence" about midday in Thames.

The family of the man involved in a fatal shooting on Saturday have issued a statement in which they have thanked everyone for their support.

Vaughan William John Te Moananui, 33, died after being shot by police during an armed stand-off at a Campbell St house just after 4.30pm on Saturday.

Today his family spoke out, and released a statement through the police, in which they thanked everyone, including police, for their "support during this difficult and emotional time".

"Despite Vaughan's challenges, we loved him all the same, and ask that we be allowed to grieve for him in private.

"We will not be making any further comment but will instead await the outcome of the various investigations into Vaughan's death, which need to run their course."

Meanwhile, police have revealed further shots were fired at a Kopu property earlier on Saturday.

Investigation head Detective Inspector Chris Page today said police inquiries had uncovered a second incident where a Paeroa man was left with superficial injuries to his leg after being shot at a Kopu house about 2.30am.

Mr Te Moananui lived in Kopu.

"This is consistent with information we've received from a member of the public who reported hearing shots at about 2.30am on Saturday.

"Police have also now spoken with a Paeroa man, who was shot in the leg during the incident and is helping us with our inquiries. He received a superficial injury and has received medical treatment."

Mr Te Moananui was a father of two teenage sons and grandfather to a baby girl. His stepfather Chris Simpson earlier told the New Zealand Herald that Mr Te Moananui was battling demons at the time but didn't want to hurt anyone else.

The family were keenly awaiting the results from the four police investigations launched after the incident to learn more about what happened, but did not hold a grudge against police for their actions.

Mr Page said police were not only still seeking information regarding the events on Saturday afternoon, but also the incident in Kopu about 2.30am.

People are asked to contact the Operation Strobe team at Thames police station directly on 07 867 9609, or anonymously through the Crimestoppers organisation on 0800 555 111.