Police have appealed to “critical witnesses” as part of the investigation into the homicide of a man who was fatally assaulted in Auckland’s St Johns over the weekend.
Emergency services were called to a bus stop on St Johns Rd shortly before 10pm on Saturday, following reports a person had been attacked by at least two offenders.
The victim was transported to hospital in a critical condition with “serious head injuries”, where he later died.
Former colleagues have named him as 33-year-old Kyle Whorrall, a US doctoral student studying entomology at the University of Auckland.
A Facebook post read: “One of our former UCR undergrad students, Kyle Whorrall, who was working on his dissertation under my friend Rich Leschen in New Zealand, was killed in an assault at a bus stop in Auckland this past weekend. I’m sure all of his friends, family, and colleagues are in shock, as I am. Senseless and tragic.”
Whorrall reportedly worked at Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research.
The scene examination on St Johns Rd had been completed, and a post-mortem was scheduled to begin on Monday.
Emergency services were called to St Johns Rd about 10pm on Saturday. (Source: 1News)
Speaking at a media conference at the scene on St Johns Rd, Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said police were continuing to follow “several lines of inquiry” in relation to the investigation.
Police are seeking a black SUV and its occupants which was at the scene and fled at speed following the attack who they believed were involved, he said.
“This vehicle came to a stop near the bus shelter, with at least two offenders exiting the vehicle.
“There is possibly a third offender and or other occupants may have been driving this vehicle at the time, and this is forming part of the investigation.”
Baldwin said police were also seeking “critical witnesses” driving a white Toyota ute that were cut off by the black SUV doing a U-turn in front of them.
“I’m confident those people may remember that journey because they witnessed some pretty erratic driving.
“I urge any occupants of that vehicle to contact us as you may have crucial information to our investigation.”
The victim’s movements prior to the fatal assault were also being clarified, Baldwin said.
He went to the Meadowbank supermarket and then stopped and sat in the bus shelter but did not flag down a bus.
Baldwin said the victim had been subject to a “senseless and violent attack” and expressed his condolences to the family.
“This is a life changing event for them and a horrible event that will endure with them for some time, and I send my deepest condolences to them.”
Police had not identified or located the weapon involved and were keeping an open mind, he added.
Baldwin said police were not in a position to release the name of the victim.
“We are still working through the formal identification process with the Coroner’s Office and are speaking to his family who live overseas.”
The family were still in the process of notifying loved ones of what had occurred, he added.
“It’s the news no one should have to receive, so out of respect for them I won’t be releasing further information today.”
Anyone with relevant information should contact police on 105.