IPCA finds Hitesh Lal’s shooting who went on a rampage in Papatoetoe last year justified
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has concluded that actions taken by the police that fatally shot a 43-year-old man in Papatoetoe wielding a machete were justified. Police have acknowledged that the findings by IPCA.
On 20 April 2020 at around 1 a.m., a Police dog handler was responding to numerous 111 calls where a man was reported to be damaging property in the suburb of Papatoetoe.
IPCA found that one of the many calls received by 111 was made by the deceased who threatened to kill anyone in his path if the police do not come.
The man was identified on social media as 43-year-old Hitesh Lal from Papatoetoe in Auckland who was living with his partner. The man was married with a child but separated, and his family was living in Perth, Australia.
Speaking with a family member of the deceased, he told the Indian Weekender that Hitesh had a property dispute with his distant family in Ba, Fiji- was drinking and distressed that evening.
Police at the scene blocking the street on the night of 20 April, 2020 (Image Courtesy: Photo / Dean Purcell, NZ Herald)
Hitesh got enraged in the house and took a machete in his hand and went out on the street on a rampage hitting cars, windows of residential properties, and trying to cut power lines.
Multiple calls were made to 111 with reports of a disturbance on the street that evening.
The IPCA report found that when the officer arrived, he saw Hitesh armed with a machete, trying to climb through a smashed window of a house and heard screams and crying from inside the address.
The officer armed with a police pistol has challenged Mr Lal to stop, but instead, he has turned and began moving towards him holding the machete above his head and making slashing motions.
The officer immediately started backing away and instructed Mr Lal to drop his weapon.
The officer has called for urgent assistance but was corralled down a driveway with nowhere to go.
A file photo of Hitesh Lal (Facebook)
Hitesh has continued to come towards him with the machete and ignored repeat instructions from the officer to put down his weapon.
It was at this point the officer acting in self-defence fired two shots which struck Hitesh.
Other Police officers arrived at the scene moments later and provided first aid until Emergency Medical Technicians arrived, but sadly Hitesh died at the scene.
Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers said the IPCA agreed with the officer’s decisions that no other tactical option including deploying his dog would have been effective in this high-risk situation.
“Our officer was put into a situation where he had no choice but to use a firearm to ensure his own safety.
“This incident was absolutely devastating for the officer and had an outcome no one wanted.
“Our hearts also go out to Mr Lal’s family as they have lost a much-loved family member,” says Supt.Rogers.
“This incident reminds us of the dangers of Policing and the real risk our officers can face.
“Their job is to prevent crime and protect our community, and this is the last situation they would ever want to be in.
“Our officer continues to be well-supported by their colleagues and is a valued member of the New Zealand Police family.”
The Indian Weekender has reached out to the family of the deceased on the IPCA report for comment.
Also read:
PAPATOETOE FATAL SHOOTING: THE MAN HAD CALLED HIS COUSIN OVER A DRINK A FEW HOURS BEFORE BEING FATALLY SHOT BY POLICE
PAPATOETOE FATAL SHOOTING: RESENTMENT BREWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON ALLEGED POLICE HIGH HANDEDNESS
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has concluded that actions taken by the police that fatally shot a 43-year-old man in Papatoetoe wielding a machete were justified. Police have acknowledged that the findings by IPCA.
On 20 April 2020 at around 1 a.m., a Police dog handler was responding to...
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has concluded that actions taken by the police that fatally shot a 43-year-old man in Papatoetoe wielding a machete were justified. Police have acknowledged that the findings by IPCA.
On 20 April 2020 at around 1 a.m., a Police dog handler was responding to numerous 111 calls where a man was reported to be damaging property in the suburb of Papatoetoe.
IPCA found that one of the many calls received by 111 was made by the deceased who threatened to kill anyone in his path if the police do not come.
The man was identified on social media as 43-year-old Hitesh Lal from Papatoetoe in Auckland who was living with his partner. The man was married with a child but separated, and his family was living in Perth, Australia.
Speaking with a family member of the deceased, he told the Indian Weekender that Hitesh had a property dispute with his distant family in Ba, Fiji- was drinking and distressed that evening.
Police at the scene blocking the street on the night of 20 April, 2020 (Image Courtesy: Photo / Dean Purcell, NZ Herald)
Hitesh got enraged in the house and took a machete in his hand and went out on the street on a rampage hitting cars, windows of residential properties, and trying to cut power lines.
Multiple calls were made to 111 with reports of a disturbance on the street that evening.
The IPCA report found that when the officer arrived, he saw Hitesh armed with a machete, trying to climb through a smashed window of a house and heard screams and crying from inside the address.
The officer armed with a police pistol has challenged Mr Lal to stop, but instead, he has turned and began moving towards him holding the machete above his head and making slashing motions.
The officer immediately started backing away and instructed Mr Lal to drop his weapon.
The officer has called for urgent assistance but was corralled down a driveway with nowhere to go.
A file photo of Hitesh Lal (Facebook)
Hitesh has continued to come towards him with the machete and ignored repeat instructions from the officer to put down his weapon.
It was at this point the officer acting in self-defence fired two shots which struck Hitesh.
Other Police officers arrived at the scene moments later and provided first aid until Emergency Medical Technicians arrived, but sadly Hitesh died at the scene.
Counties Manukau District Commander Superintendent Jill Rogers said the IPCA agreed with the officer’s decisions that no other tactical option including deploying his dog would have been effective in this high-risk situation.
“Our officer was put into a situation where he had no choice but to use a firearm to ensure his own safety.
“This incident was absolutely devastating for the officer and had an outcome no one wanted.
“Our hearts also go out to Mr Lal’s family as they have lost a much-loved family member,” says Supt.Rogers.
“This incident reminds us of the dangers of Policing and the real risk our officers can face.
“Their job is to prevent crime and protect our community, and this is the last situation they would ever want to be in.
“Our officer continues to be well-supported by their colleagues and is a valued member of the New Zealand Police family.”
The Indian Weekender has reached out to the family of the deceased on the IPCA report for comment.
Also read:
PAPATOETOE FATAL SHOOTING: THE MAN HAD CALLED HIS COUSIN OVER A DRINK A FEW HOURS BEFORE BEING FATALLY SHOT BY POLICE
PAPATOETOE FATAL SHOOTING: RESENTMENT BREWS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ON ALLEGED POLICE HIGH HANDEDNESS
Leave a Comment