The death of a man in Gisborne this morning is being treated as a homicide, as Police seek a person seen running from the area.
Shortly after 4am, Police were called to an address on Ormond Road, between Lytton Road and Riperata Street, where officers located the 36-year-old victim on the front lawn of the property.
Tairāwhiti Area Commander Inspector Danny Kirk said Police rendered first aid to the man and he was transported to Gisborne Hospital where he later died.
"Police have now launched a homicide investigation and are following several lines of inquiry. A person was seen running across Ormond Road and into Riperata Street soon after the incident occurred, and we would like to speak with them.
"The investigation team will be in the area carrying out enquiries over the coming days, but we ask anyone with information, or who heard or saw the incident, to please contact us."
Information can be shared by making a report online, calling 105 or by visiting a Police station. Please reference Operation Bushman, or the file number 250929/9035.
Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 0800 555 111.
"I know this will cause some unease in our community, but we are working hard to find the person or people responsible. While that work continues, Police officers will have a visible presence in the area," Inspector Kirk said.
At this time, no further information is available.
