Stephen Hohepa McDonald, the 50 year-old accused at the centre of the Northwestern Motorway shooting in Auckland on January 23 when 17 year-old Halatau Naitoko was fatally shot by a Police officer, will appear in the Auckland District Court today to face several more charges.
He has already been charged with 29 offences relating to events leading up to those on the motorway itself and today will be charged with a further six offences, namely:
• Using a firearm against a Law Enforcement Officer (representative charge) • Three times using a firearm against a Law Enforcement Officer • Unlawfully getting upon a motor vehicle • Commission of a crime with a firearm
The Police homicide investigation is ongoing.
Detective Inspector Peter Devoy, officer in charge of the investigation, said a raft of technical, forensic and legal work has been completed over the past three months but there were still considerable statutory formalities to be completed.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz