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Thread: NZ Manhunt Underway After Unidentified Gunman Attacks Campervan, Shooting Dead Australian Man (33) & Driving Off With His Victim's Body

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    Senior Member blighted star's Avatar
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    NZ Manhunt Underway After Unidentified Gunman Attacks Campervan, Shooting Dead Australian Man (33) & Driving Off With His Victim's Body

    Edit : I don't think the partner was injured, so the title already needs updating




    What in the absolute fuck??? This is weirdly like the Canadian manhunt that just ended



    https://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/wor...16-p52hsk.html


    Australian shot dead in campervan in New Zealand, manhunt under way

    A Victorian man has been shot dead while holidaying in New Zealand.

    A gunman smashed his way into the campervan he was sharing with his Canadian partner near the popular beach town of Raglan, south of Auckland on the North Island early on Friday morning, local time.


    An officer and paramedic work through the open door of the campervan where the body of a man was found on Friday morning.CREDIT:MARK TAYLOR/STUFF

    Police confirmed the victim is a 33-year-old Australian man. The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald understand he was visiting from Victoria.

    The man's companion, a Canadian woman, 32, escaped and ran several kilometres for help. The gunman took the vehicle with the male victim still inside. Police later found the stolen campervan and the man's body in Gordonton, near Hamilton, 80 kilometres away, sparking a major manhunt and a homicide investigation in the Waikato region.



    The gunman remains at large and Waikato police announced in a press conference that they assume he is still armed.

    Police said they still did not know the identity of the gunman, but were "working through a number of leads". They appealed to the public for more information.

    "Inquiries indicate this is a random attack," said Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley.


    NZ Armed Offenders Squad members near the scene.CREDIT:MARK TAYLOR/STUFF

    Baillie Buchanan, said she was driving from Hamilton to Waihi Beach when she came across police surrounding the abandoned camper van on Gordonton Road on Friday, about 8.50am local time (6.50am AEST).

    "[I] saw heaps of police holding guns blocking off a rural road and in between was a tourist campervan that was to the side of the road.

    "There was around five or six cars at the front and a few at the back. Maybe six or seven police standing but I only saw one [office] holding a gun."

    Ms Buchanan said there was still a large police presence in the area but the van had been removed.


    NZ police around the campervan.CREDIT:MARK TAYLOR/STUFF

    The New Zealand Herald reported the gunman shot the man "more than once" after banging on the campervan and demanding the keys.

    The site is south of the popular beach town, near the Karioi Summit Track entrance, at Te Toto Gorge.

    Armed police responded to what they called a "serious incident" about 3.20am local time (1.20am AEST) on Friday, on Whaanga Road, Raglan.

    About an hour later, another couple sleeping in an Apollo campervan in Raglan woke to armed police who were on the hunt for the offender involved in the man's death.

    Police are appealing to members of the public for any information.
    Last edited by blighted star; 08-15-2019 at 07:29 PM.

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    Senior Member blighted star's Avatar
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    https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12259134



    NEW ZEALAND

    Raglan shooting: Tourist dead, terrified partner ran kilometres for help


    Updated 20 Minutes Ago 16 Aug, 2019 3:15pm

    An Australian tourist was fatally shot and his terrified partner ran for several kilometres for help in an early-morning attack by a gunman who wanted to steal their campervan at
    Police have confirmed a homicide inquiry is underway after an Australian tourist was murdered by a gunman trying to steal a campervan at Raglan.

    "The offender is still outstanding," Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley confirmed at a media conference this afternoon.

    "At this stage all I can say is we're looking for a male."

    All Hamilton police will be armed while the manhunt continues.

    Pitkethley confirmed the murdered tourist's Canadian female partner, 32, managed to escape the gunman in what police said was a "random attack". She ran several kilometres to find help.

    Police were alerted at 3.20am today that a man had approached the campervan and shots were fired.

    The murdered Australian man was 33-years-old. His body was found in the rented campervan at 8am at Gordonton, 80km from Raglan. The site is a 75-minute drive from the scene of the shooting.

    "We are supporting the female victim who is understandably very shocked and distressed, providing her with the support and welfare she needs," Pitkethley said.

    Police are appealing for sightings of the stolen campervan - a white 2017 Toyota Hiace ZL van registration KWF362 ? which was travelling between Raglan and Gordonton before 8am this morning.

    Police are seeking sightings of the stolen campervan - a 2017 white Toyota Hiace ZL (registration KWF362). Photo / Police

    Police are seeking sightings of the stolen campervan - a 2017 white Toyota Hiace ZL (registration KWF362). Photo / Police


    Police believed it was random attack by a sole offender, who would be known to members of his community.

    "Police are working through a number of leads in terms of people of interest, but again I appeal to the public that they will know who is involved in this incident, and for them to come forward and contact police as soon as possible," Pitkethley said.

    "Due to the circumstance of the attack it is likely he has confided in members of his community."

    There was nothing to indicate that drugs or alcohol were relevant to the fatal shooting at this early stage.

    Australian tourist killed, terrified partner escaped


    Earlier today an Australian tourist was fatally shot - and his terrified partner ran for several kilometres for help - in an early-morning attack by a gunman who wanted to steal their campervan at Raglan.

    The Australian tourist's body was found in his rented campervan in Gordonton, 80km from Raglan.

    The Herald revealed the tourists - an Australian man and a Canadian woman - were asleep in their campervan at the Te Toto Gorge carpark in Raglan when they were woken by a stranger banging on the window.

    It is understood the stranger demanded the key to the couple's campervan.

    The Australian male was then shot more than once.

    Somehow his terrified partner managed to escape the gunman. She was able to flee and ran several kilometres for help.

    Body in stolen van 80km from suspected shooting


    Police said the body of a man was found in a stolen campervan abandoned on Gordonton Road, 80km away from the Raglan crime scene.

    Authorities were initially called to a "serious incident" at 3.20am on Whaanga Rd in Raglan.

    A lone police patrol car guards the scene of last night's shooting at Te Toto Gorge, south of Raglan. Photo / Natalie Akoorie

    A lone police patrol car guards the scene of last night's shooting at Te Toto Gorge, south of Raglan. Photo / Natalie Akoorie


    Police are appealing to members of the public for any information.

    They say the stolen vehicle - a White 2017 Toyota Hiace ZL registration KWF362 - was driven from Whaanga Rd to Gordonton Rd this morning. The 80km journey takes about 75 minutes to drive.

    Police were conducting inquiries to establish the circumstances of the death, Inspector Graham Pitkethley said.

    "If you think you have seen this vehicle or have information that may be helpful please contact Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200."

    Rental company confirms vehicle


    Stacey Davis, executive general manager for rental operations in Australia and New Zealand at Apollo Motorhome, said Apollo was aware one of its rental campervans was involved.

    "We're aware of the incident that involved one of our campers in Waikato," she said.

    "We are cooperating with the authorities as the investigation continues and our thoughts are with the family at this time."

    Earlier, at least four police cars, an ambulance and several armed officers had blocked off the corner of Puke Rd and Gordonton Rd around 9am.

    One person said on Facebook a white campervan was parked off Puke Rd, a short distance from the intersection.

    A spokeswoman for St John said they were called to the incident at 8.11am and sent an ambulance and rapid response vehicle.

    One man told the Herald there was easily a half dozen marked police cars cordoning off the road with flashing lights.

    There were armed officers kitted out in black clothing at the roadside, he said. Several blacked out four-wheel-drive vehicles were also on scene.

    Onlookers were being waved on by police at the cordon.

    Another person said there was a large, dark helicopter hovering over the Gordonton area earlier this morning. It's believed it was the police Eagle helicopter from Auckland.

    Earlier, a St John ambulance spokeswoman said they were called to the Raglan incident by police around 3.15am. However, they were stood down shortly afterwards.

    A police spokeswoman told the Herald police were conducting inquiries to establish the circumstances of the incidents and no other information was available.

    Local chef Colin Chung, who lives in Whale Bay, said he heard a helicopter about 6.30am.

    "The only time we get choppers that early is when there's someone lost at sea ... a surfer [has] gone missing or a boat going down. So I just assumed that was happening."

    He said the helicopter was flying up and down the coastline.

    "We got a call from a friend of ours ... whose neighbour employs a man from Te Toto Gorge, who said he'd just come to work and ... reported or found where someone was shot. He said he called police."

    Chung said from Raglan that two police vehicles passed him on his way out today.

    He said residents in the Te Toto Gorge area were being told to stay in their homes.

    "Down the coast there - [authorities are] informing everyone to stay indoors, lock up and keep vigilant."

    A farmer about 10 minutes away from the Te Toto Gorge lookout said the area was a popular tourist spot.

    The Kariori Track area.

    The Kariori Track area.


    He said there was no camping allowed, but tourists tended to regularly do so at the site regardless.

    A man at the nearby Ruapuke Motor Camp said he heard a helicopter in the area about 7.30am.

    A resident about 20 minutes south of the Te Toto Gorge Lookout said just before 8.15am: "We had a big black helicopter fly over our house.

    "I've just sent the kids off to school on the school bus and am wondering now if we're safe."

    A spokesman for Fire and Emergency New Zealand said they were called to assist police at the scene on Whaanga Rd, Raglan. Further inquiries were referred to police.

  3. #3
    Senior Member blighted star's Avatar
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    There's pix of the area at this link

    http://postcarders.com/mt-karioi-and...-gorge-raglan/

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    https://www.theage.com.au/national/v...16-p52hsk.html

    Australian shot dead in campervan in New Zealand identified as Sean McKinnon, manhunt under way

    Rachel Eddie
    By Rachel Eddie
    Updated August 16, 2019 ? 12.54pmfirst published at 11.58am



    Talking points

    Victorian man Sean McKinnon, 33, has been shot dead in NZ

    He and his Canadian fiancee were attacked while sleeping in their campervan

    Mr McKinnon's fiancee managed to escape and run for help

    The shooter remains at large, police have launched a major manhunt


    The Victorian man shot dead in a random carjacking while holidaying in New Zealand with his Canadian fiancee has been identified as 33-year-old Sean McKinnon, as police launch a major manhunt for his killer.

    A gunman fired a "number of shots" into the campervan where Mr McKinnon was sleeping with his fiancee near the popular beach town of Raglan, south of Auckland on the North Island early on Friday morning, local time.

    Sean McKinnon, 33.

    Sean McKinnon, 33.CREDIT:FACEBOOK

    Mr McKinnon, 33, grew up around Warrnambool in Victoria's south-west.

    The couple got engaged around Christmas time in 2017, according to their social media.

    Mr McKinnon's 32-year-old fiancee escaped and ran for help and called police from a nearby home. The gunman took the vehicle with Mr McKinnon still inside. Police later found the stolen campervan and Mr McKinnon's body in Gordonton, near Hamilton, 80 kilometres away, sparking a major manhunt and a homicide investigation in the Waikato region.

    The New Zealand Herald reported the gunman shot the man "more than once" after banging on the campervan and demanding the keys.



    The gunman remains at large and Waikato police announced in a press conference that they assume he is still armed as a weapon is yet to be found.

    Police said they still did not know the identity of the gunman, but were "working through a number of leads". They appealed to the public for more information.

    "Inquiries indicate this is a random attack," Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said.

    "We are supporting the female victim who is understandably very shocked and distressed, providing her with the support and welfare that she needs.



    "We are still working through injuries she may or may not have obtained during the ordeal. The terrain where the vehicle was stolen is quite rough with a lot of bush around."

    Police are asking for anyone who saw the couple's 2017 white Toyota Hiace ZL van between the hours of 2am and 8am local time to contact police.

    Local woman Baillie Buchanan said she was driving from Hamilton to Waihi Beach when she came across police surrounding the abandoned camper van on Gordonton Road on Friday, about 8.50am local time (6.50am AEST).

    "[I] saw heaps of police holding guns blocking off a rural road and in between was a tourist campervan that was to the side of the road.



    "There was around five or six cars at the front and a few at the back. Maybe six or seven police standing, but I only saw one [officer] holding a gun."

    Ms Buchanan said there was still a large police presence in the area but the van had been removed.

    Armed police responded to what they called a "serious incident" about 3.20am local time (1.20am AEST) on Friday, on Whaanga Road, Raglan.

    The site is south of the popular beach town, near the Karioi Summit Track entrance, at Te Toto Gorge.



    About an hour later, another couple sleeping in an Apollo campervan in Raglan woke to armed police who were on the hunt for the gunman.

    Police are appealing to members of the public for any information.



    The attack comes a month after the murder of New South Wales man Lucas Fowler, who was shot dead alongside his Amercian girlfriend while they were travelling in a van in Canada.

    Their suspected killers Kam McLeod, 19, and Bryer Schmegelsky, 18 - who are also believed to have shot dead a third person - were found dead after a country-wide manhunt.

    The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it is providing consular assistance to the family of the Australian man.

    Anyone with information within New Zealand is asked to contact Waikato Police on (07) 858 6200 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.



    That's a weird way to say whatever the fuck it is that they're trying to say

    We are still working through injuries she may or may not have obtained during the ordeal.

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    Senior Member blighted star's Avatar
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    Sean's fb


    https://m.facebook.com/sean.mckinnon.161



    Edit :


    & I think this is his partner

    https://m.facebook.com/bee.c.b.1
    Last edited by blighted star; 08-15-2019 at 08:54 PM.

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    Senior Member blighted star's Avatar
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    Every comment section for this on fb is just a huge shitfight of smartarsed wankers going "SO MUCH FOR NZ BANNING GUNS!!!'


    NZ didn't ban all guns, you fuckheads.


    They restricted ownership of some types of weapons, the same as Australia did after Port Arthur. People are stll going to get shot in both countries because there are still a lot of guns in homes, but it's much less likely anyone's ever going to be able to take out a whole crowd of people in a matter seconds again

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    https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/115...-investigation



    Alleged Raglan Shooter Arrested After Australian Tourist Sean McKinnon Shot Dead

    A homicide investigation into the campervan shooting is ongoing.

    The man alleged to have shot and killed an Australian tourist has been caught at a rural Waikato property.

    Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley confirmed that the man they believe responsible had been arrested at a property in Tauhei on Friday night and would be appearing in the Hamilton District Court on Saturday.

    The 23-year-old Waikato man faces a charge of murder, aggravated robbery and threatens to Kill.

    Tauhei is not far from Gordonton where the campervan, with Sean McKinnon's body inside it, was found on Friday morning.

    Last night armed police swarmed the area, with one resident telling Stuff a police helicopter was in the air about an hour, while a large police presence remained in the area for about three hours.

    READ MORE:
    * Recap: Tourist shot dead in Raglan, police open homicide investigation
    * Canadian woman flees from killer after Australian tourist was shot dead near Raglan

    Information from the public had helped lead to the arrest, Pitkethley said.

    The arrest came less than 24 hours after Mckinnon, 33, was shot at Te Toto Gorge Track car park in Raglan at 3.20am on Friday.

    He had been sleeping inside with his fiance, Canadian woman Bianca Buckley, who works as a midwife in New Zealand.

    Police said on Friday that McKinnon was shot "a number of times" before the campervan was taken. Buckley escaped.

    Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said a 23-year-old had was arrested late on Friday night and had been charged with murder and aggravated robbery.
    TOM LEE/STUFF
    Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said a 23-year-old had was arrested late on Friday night and had been charged with murder and aggravated robbery.

    Pitkethley said he was extremely proud of the police team. They worked hard and through the night to locate the alleged offender.

    He also said the survivor was "shocked and traumatised" and they would be working working with her around her wellbeing.

    An autopsy was being completed on Saturday and the homicide inquiry was continuing and at this stage they were not seeking anyone else.

    The weapon has not been found but police were searching a number of addresses on Saturday.

    Pitkethley said it was a random, violent and tragic event.

    "I know this has been a shocking event for the community.The police are dedicated in keeping our community safe. I want to think members of the community who responded to the appeal yesterday," he said.

    He said McKinnon's family were pleased that an arrest had been made and someone would be held to account. Some of them had already arrived from Australia.

    Meanwhile, a resident who lived close to where the man was arrested said police officers knocked on his door about 5pm and told him to stay inside.

    "It wasn't until just after 8pm that another officer came to our door and gave us the all clear to come outside," he said.

    "They didn't really say much more than that."

    The man counted eight police cars parked outside the school and a further four cars parked outside an empty house behind the school.

    "They had the dog squad there, the armed guys with the balaclavas, there were lots of them."

    Asked if he was unsettled by the police presence, the man replied no.

    "I'm from South Africa, so this isn't scary to me."

    After the shooting, McKinnon's fiance fled two kilometres through rough and bush-clad terrain until she found help from a woman at the nearest house and police were called.

    The neighbour, who consoled Buckley, told the NZ Herald she had wrapped her in a blanket and given her a hot water bottle and cup of coffee.

    Buckley's jeans were bloodstained and she had cuts to her face.

    "I think she was pretty sure [McKinnon] wasn't alive at that point."

    The stolen campervan was found discarded on Puke Rd in Gordonton, near Hamilton, at 8am.

    A homicide investigation was launched after Mckinnon's body was found inside.

    The Crime scene at Te Toto gorge carpark near Raglan.
    DOMINICO ZAPATA/STUFF
    The Crime scene at Te Toto gorge carpark near Raglan.


    Speaking from Australia on Friday night, his sister, Emmeline, said their mother was heartbroken by the loss.

    "No parent wants to live to see their children pass away," she said.

    "It's her worst nightmare."

    One of six kids, Emmeline described her brother as a "very gentle sort of soul with a good sense of humour".

    "He was always one to give you a hug and tell you that he loved you.


    Sean McKinnon with his fiance Bianca Buckley who fled during the shooting.



    "He suffered from a bit of the old restless soul syndrome, he was a hard worker, a brilliant musician and an amazing surfer."

    Mckinnon was travelling in New Zealand with Bianca, who Emmeline said he met while travelling in South America. The pair were engaged in December 2017.

    "Bianca and Sean shared a passion for adventure and surfing and travel. They both shared the same sort of values in life".

    After news of his death broke, many friends of Mckinnon spoke about his kind nature.

    Ben Russell, who knew Mckinnon for 15 years through his music, said he was "one in a million".

    "One of those guys who always had a smile on his face. Such a senseless waste, especially someone who would be the first to help someone out."

    Russell said he "touched a wide range of people [from] a lot of walks of life" and there are many people who "hold him close to their hearts".

    MARK TAYLOR / STUFF NZ
    Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley speaks to media on Friday about the shooting.
    "He comes from a very close and equally talented family," Russell explained.

    Corangamite shire councillor Simon Illingworth said the Port Campbell community would be gutted.

    "I knew him for years through surfing. He's just an awesome bloke, cruisy, honest, give you the shirt off his back sort of bloke," he said.

    "I've known him for years, a couple of decades. I'm just gutted for him and his family. He was such a nice bloke.

    Illingworth said McKinnon was well known around the Port Campbell area.

    "Seanny Mac was always a legend. He would do somersaults off the Port Campbell pier with the kids. He always had time for everyone," he said.

    "He was just a lovely bloke, liked to joke around and the kids that knew him will be absolutely devastated."

    Meanwhile, Hamilton & Waikato Tourism chief executive Jason Dawson tweeted this condolences whilst saying Waikato was still a safe place to travel to.

    "It's a tragic, tragic incident and incomprehensible what has happened," he wrote.

    "The Waikato is still a relatively safe destination and our hearts go out to the victim's family and his Canadian fiancee.

    "She has survived a horrific ordeal and we would like to extend our heartfelt sympathy and support to her and the family of the Australian visitor."

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