Update: Fatal Taita assault
"Update: Fatal Taita assault"
Attribute
to Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch:
Police are continuing to investigate a fatal assault in Taita on Friday night.
Police can now name the victim.
He was
Faapaia Fonoilaepa, 29, a painter from Avalon.
Our
principal focus at this time is locating the man that left
the scene following the assault.
The man is described
as Maori, of solid build, aged 30-40 years, with dark hair
and facial tattoos.
He was wearing black clothes.
The man initially left the scene on foot, walking in a
southerly direction.
He then returned to the scene,
later leaving in a silver Toyota Carib station wagon.
The car is missing its front left hubcap and has
some damage to its front left panel and indicator.
The car was seen at the High Street scene for several
minutes before it left, travelling north.
It was later
located in Pringle Street.
Police can confirm that
the people involved were not customers of the Big Barrel
liquor store - the only link to the store is that the
incident occurred nearby.
We would however like to
thank the owners of Big Barrel for the assistance they have
provided the investigation team, including the provision of
CCTV footage of activity outside the store.
Police
would also like to speak to the woman pictured.
She was
walking north on High Street at the time of the incident
(7.30pm) and may have observed something which could assist
our investigation.
The woman is of medium build and
was wearing dark clothing and carrying a shoulder
bag.
She had long brown, curly hair and was wearing
headphones.
Police are also continuing to focus on identifying anyone else who may have been in the area at the time and observed the incident or assisted afterward.
Our inquiries have indicated that a number of
people came to assist, including some who were driving by
and stopped.
We would like to hear from anyone
we have not yet spoken to and request that they get in touch
with us at their earliest convenience.
If you can help, please call Lower Hutt Police on 04 560 2600.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Images, online at: http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release/update-fatal-taita-assault