Police have named the man shot dead at a police stop in New Plymouth earlier this weekend, and say he had rammed a marked police car.
Photo: 123RF
Police Assistant Commissioner Sandra Venables spoke this morning at a media conference in Wellington about the incident.
She named the man was Kaoss Price, 22, of Bell Block, New Plymouth.
At about 9.30pm on Saturday a vehicle was pulled over by police on State Highway 3, she said.
"That car was being driven by an associate of Mr Price. Mr Price was driving a second car in convoy with his associate.
"While the vehicle stop of the associate's car was being carried out Mr Price has driven past and then turned back and rammed the stationary marked police car.
"The circumstances beyond that are the subject of an ongoing investigation," she said.
The officers who were there have not yet given formal statements, and witness statements are still to be taken, Venables said.
"Last night with whānau and iwi present, kaumātua conducted a karakia before Mr Price was removed from the scene," she said.
A scene examination is continuing today, and a post mortem will be carried out in upcoming days.
Venables described Price's death as a tragic outcome.
"This is a very difficult and tragic time for Mr Price's family who are grieving the loss of their loved one, and I want them to know they have our deepest sympathies.
"This incident has also been incredibly traumatic for the officers involved ... I am extremely grateful that they were not physically harmed during this incident."
