Statement As put by Superintendent Sunny Patel, Auckland City District Commander:
An armed man fleeing from Police has been shot at Sylvia Park Shopping Centre this afternoon.
Earlier this afternoon, at around 2pm, Police received information about a theft of an air rifle at Gun City in Penrose.
The offender has fled in a vehicle and units have been dispatched.
The Police Eagle helicopter deployed to the area and has located the white Suzuki Swift travelling near Sylvia Park.
Eagle has monitored overhead and tracked the vehicle travelling into the Pakuranga area, where it has entered the car park at Pakuranga Plaza.
From there, the vehicle quickly exited onto the Pakuranga Highway and began driving erratically towards Panmure.
Units successfully deployed spikes as the vehicle continued towards Panmure.
The vehicle continued towards the Mount Wellington Highway, still being driven in an erratic manner.
It has become stranded at an intersection outside Sylvia Park Shopping Centre.
At this point, approximately 2.50pm, the offender fled on foot carrying a long-barrelled air rifle.
He has run on foot onto the grounds of the shopping centre.
Units have pursued the offender as he headed towards an entrance into the shopping centre.
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 immediately provided however the offender has been pronounced deceased at the scene.
Police have now stood up a critical incident investigation into the events that have unfolded this afternoon.
Our investigation is still in the very early stages of piecing together all the events.
A cordon has been set up at the scene, and we ask that people avoid the area at this stage.
These events have unfolded very quickly in a busy area, with people shopping at the mall and the afternoon rush hour getting underway.
I can reassure the public that there is no ongoing risk.
Police will provide further information as our enquiries develop.
