Counties Manukau detectives investigating the fatal shooting of a pizza delivery employee last night, have revealed that it was only luck that saved the manager from becoming the second victim.
Detective Inspector Steve Rutherford said, in a news conference earlier this afternoon, that initial enquiries with witnesses indicate the offender was in a very agitated state and was deliberate in his actions, it was not a case of an aggravated robbery gone wrong.
"This was a brutal and senseless killing and it is just pure luck that we don’t have a double homicide on our hands, all for the sake of a pathetic amount of money, between two and three hundred dollars," says Detective Inspector Rutherford.
He also revealed that there were more than two shots fired from what is believed to be a sawn off low calibre rifle.
The offender is described as a male Polynesian or Maori, aged in his mid 20’s, and at the time of the robbery wore a bandanna around his face.
"We are concerned this person with this type of demeanour is at large in the community and we need the help of the public to come forward with information."
Police are not in a position to release the name of the dead man, as close next of kin living in Australia have not been advised.
"What we can say about the victim is that he is a 22-year-old and was working part-time in the pizza place to supplement his full-time bank job, in the hope of raising enough cash to embark on his O.E. in the near future."
A number has been set up for Operation Reeves, it is 0800 5 REEVES (0800 5 733837), this will be a 24 hour hotline for the public to call with information.
RELEASED BY ANGELINE BARLOW
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
COUNTIES MANUKAU POLICE
PH: 2590653