Police at the scene of the shooting on Saturday. Photo: RNZ/Jonty Dine
A gunman is still at large after a fatal shooting in South Auckland yesterday.
Police have now launched a homicide investigation into the death outside Papatoetoe Seventh Day Adventist Community Church on Puhinui Road in Manukau.
Stuff reported the victim as 46-year-old senior Mongrel Mob member Daniel Eliu.
Detective Inspector Tofilau Faamanuia Va'aelua said police have completed a scene examination and a post mortem of Eliu was underway this morning.
The shooting was a targeted attack, police said. Photo: RNZ/Jonty Dine
"The investigation is ongoing to identify the persons responsible," Va'aelua said.
"Anyone who has information that could assist with enquiries is asked to contact Police on 105 and reference file number 221217/6485."
Eliu, who had spent time in prison, had been attending a gathering for people who wanted to turn their lives around just prior to the shooting, Grace Foundation co-founder David Letele told Stuff.
"It's all a bit of a blur at the moment, all we know is someone came out of the blue," Letele said.
"All we heard was some popping sounds, we didn't realise what had happened, then we saw the man stumble."
Letele told Stuff those who witnessed the shooting would be shaken.
The shooting happened outside a South Auckland church. Photo: RNZ/Jonty Dine
On Saturday, Police said people at the church were helping them with their enquiries.
They said Eliu was "deliberately targeted".
A number of patched Mongrel Mob members were at the scene on Saturday.
A neighbour said he was awoken by the sounds of dozens of police descending on the scene.
"I was sleeping … while my flatmate was standing here. He just saw one guy running on the left and three or four guys running behind him."
Anyone with information about the investigation can also provide it anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
