Police confirm that an unidentified man has died after an exchange of shots with Police that ended on the North Shore following an armed incident that began yesterday evening.
The exchange of shots followed a violent home invasion in Opotiki and the offender attempting to evade Police. It involved the offender firing on Police on at least three different occasions with a high-powered rifle as he headed north in a stolen vehicle.
"The focus of our inquiries at the moment is to identify the dead man and advise his next of kin," says Assistant Commissioner Upper North, Allan Boreham.
Police have screened off the scene on the Northern Motorway near Sunset Road on the North Shore and are asking motorists heading south into the city to not slow down while passing the scene so as to not create additional delays.
The Auckland motorway system is open, with the exception of the northern motorway between Tristram Ave and Constellation Drive in heading north. Motorists are advised to expect delays while Police carry out a scene examination.
The incident began at around 7.30pm last night after a vehicle and a firearm was stolen from an Opotiki address in the Bay of Plenty.
The stolen vehicle was found driving over the Kaimai ranges at about 10.30pm. It was lost but found again shortly after.
The vehicle then headed to Rotorua but turned around heading north.
Shots were fired from the vehicle and Rotoroa and Waikato AOS teams were activated.
The vehicle continued north and several tyre deflation devices were deployed.
The vehicle stopped on the Northern Motorway at Mairangi Bay Auckland.
ENDS
Media contact: Ross Henderson 027 703 7329.