What happened to the man at Sylvia Park? What we know about the fatal shooting
-Aug-13-2026-07-09-21-5491-AM.jpg?width=740&height=400&name=KIA%20ORA%20(1)-Aug-13-2026-07-09-21-5491-AM.jpg)
An armed man who fled from Police and ran into Auckland’s Sylvia Park Shopping Centre has been shot at by officers, Police say.
Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel said Police were first alerted to the incident at about 2pm on Thursday after receiving information about the theft of an air rifle from Gun City in Penrose.
He was also unable to confirm whether the deceased had fired the stolen air rifle or how many shots had been fired by Police.
Patel said the man had been subject to bail conditions, but declined to provide further details.
He urged anyone who witnessed the incident or had relevant information or footage to come forward and assist Police with the investigation.
Patel said the man’s next of kin had not yet been notified and Police would not publicly identify him at this stage.
He said the vehicle involved had not been reported stolen.
Patel also confirmed the deceased man was alone in the vehicle.
After the theft of an air rifle from Gun City in Penrose, the offender fled the scene in a vehicle, prompting Police units to be deployed.
The Police Eagle helicopter located a white Suzuki Swift travelling near Sylvia Park and tracked it as it moved towards the Pakuranga area.
Police said the vehicle entered the car park at Pakuranga Plaza before quickly exiting onto Pakuranga Highway and travelling erratically towards Panmure.
Units successfully deployed road spikes as the vehicle continued towards Panmure.
The vehicle then travelled towards Mount Wellington Highway before becoming stranded at an intersection outside Sylvia Park.
At about 2.50pm, the offender left the vehicle and fled on foot carrying a long-barrelled air rifle.
Police pursued him as he ran towards an entrance to the shopping centre.
Patel said the man was confronted underneath an overpass while still carrying the air rifle and was shot by Police.
“Whilst still in possession of the air-rifle, he has been confronted underneath an overpass where he was been shot by Police.”
First aid was provided immediately, but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police have launched a critical incident investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“Our investigation is still in the very early stages of piecing together all the events.”
A cordon has been established around the scene, with Police asking members of the public to avoid the area.
Patel said the incident had unfolded quickly in a busy part of Auckland, as shoppers were at the mall and the afternoon rush hour was beginning.
“These events have unfolded very quickly in a busy area, with people shopping at the mall and the afternoon rush hour getting underway.”
He reassured the public there was no ongoing risk.
“I can reassure the public that there is no ongoing risk.”
Police said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.
Auckland’s Sylvia Park was placed into lockdown on Thursday afternoon following reports of a person with a firearm in the area and multiple gunshots.
RNZ reported that a shop worker inside the mall had been told a person with a gun had been seen nearby and instructed staff to lock their doors.
A witness told Stuff they saw a man running towards the mall while holding what appeared to be a gun.
A staff member at one of the mall’s shops, who did not want to be named, said the store had closed its security door and switched off its lights, while staff and several customers sat on the floor.
By about 3.30pm, the situation appeared to be becoming quieter, although police remained at the scene.
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of an incident in Mt Wellington, Auckland, at 2.53pm on Thursday.
One ambulance, two operations managers and a rapid response vehicle were sent to the incident.
An armed man who fled from Police and ran into Auckland’s Sylvia Park Shopping Centre has been shot at by officers, Police say.
Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel said Police were first alerted to the incident at about 2pm on Thursday after receiving information about the...
An armed man who fled from Police and ran into Auckland’s Sylvia Park Shopping Centre has been shot at by officers, Police say.
Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel said Police were first alerted to the incident at about 2pm on Thursday after receiving information about the theft of an air rifle from Gun City in Penrose.
He was also unable to confirm whether the deceased had fired the stolen air rifle or how many shots had been fired by Police.
Patel said the man had been subject to bail conditions, but declined to provide further details.
He urged anyone who witnessed the incident or had relevant information or footage to come forward and assist Police with the investigation.
Patel said the man’s next of kin had not yet been notified and Police would not publicly identify him at this stage.
He said the vehicle involved had not been reported stolen.
Patel also confirmed the deceased man was alone in the vehicle.
After the theft of an air rifle from Gun City in Penrose, the offender fled the scene in a vehicle, prompting Police units to be deployed.
The Police Eagle helicopter located a white Suzuki Swift travelling near Sylvia Park and tracked it as it moved towards the Pakuranga area.
Police said the vehicle entered the car park at Pakuranga Plaza before quickly exiting onto Pakuranga Highway and travelling erratically towards Panmure.
Units successfully deployed road spikes as the vehicle continued towards Panmure.
The vehicle then travelled towards Mount Wellington Highway before becoming stranded at an intersection outside Sylvia Park.
At about 2.50pm, the offender left the vehicle and fled on foot carrying a long-barrelled air rifle.
Police pursued him as he ran towards an entrance to the shopping centre.
Patel said the man was confronted underneath an overpass while still carrying the air rifle and was shot by Police.
“Whilst still in possession of the air-rifle, he has been confronted underneath an overpass where he was been shot by Police.”
First aid was provided immediately, but the man was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police have launched a critical incident investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
“Our investigation is still in the very early stages of piecing together all the events.”
A cordon has been established around the scene, with Police asking members of the public to avoid the area.
Patel said the incident had unfolded quickly in a busy part of Auckland, as shoppers were at the mall and the afternoon rush hour was beginning.
“These events have unfolded very quickly in a busy area, with people shopping at the mall and the afternoon rush hour getting underway.”
He reassured the public there was no ongoing risk.
“I can reassure the public that there is no ongoing risk.”
Police said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.
Auckland’s Sylvia Park was placed into lockdown on Thursday afternoon following reports of a person with a firearm in the area and multiple gunshots.
RNZ reported that a shop worker inside the mall had been told a person with a gun had been seen nearby and instructed staff to lock their doors.
A witness told Stuff they saw a man running towards the mall while holding what appeared to be a gun.
A staff member at one of the mall’s shops, who did not want to be named, said the store had closed its security door and switched off its lights, while staff and several customers sat on the floor.
By about 3.30pm, the situation appeared to be becoming quieter, although police remained at the scene.
Hato Hone St John said it was notified of an incident in Mt Wellington, Auckland, at 2.53pm on Thursday.
One ambulance, two operations managers and a rapid response vehicle were sent to the incident.
Related Posts
ISSUE
Leave a Comment