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.
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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."