AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – The man accused of murdering a New Zealand police officer, appeared in the Waitakere District Court in West Auckland this morning.
The 24-year-old man was charged with multiple serious offences, including murder, attempted murder and dangerous driving causing injury.
The suspect appeared via audio visual link from another part of the courthouse, which is a process used after the COVID-19 lock-down.
The man has been granted interim name suppression in the court and cannot be named or identified, due to the order.
He was remanded in custody and will appear in the High Court next month.
Meanwhile, New Zealand police are hunting a 30-year-old Auckland woman, Natalie Jane Bracken, who they believe may have assisted the alleged killer, in avoiding arrest.
Police officer, Constable Matthew Hunt, 28, was killed by the accused man with a long barrelled firearm on Friday morning, during a routine-check-turned gun shooting.
Another police officer was seriously injured in the incident. A member of the public has also been hit by the vehicle, that the man got into and used to flee the scene.
New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern, and Minister of Police, Stuart Nash, issued a statement on the shooting on Friday. “This is devastating news. Our police officers work hard every day to keep us and our communities safe,” said Jacinda Ardern.
In the history of New Zealand policing since 1890, 33 officers have been shot and killed on duty, most recently Senior Constable Len Snee in Napier in 2009. Since 2002, 15 officers have been wounded by firearms.
