A woman returning home from work was stabbed to death in what police called a “gruesome, traumatic and accidental attack” in Christchurch.
Superintendent John Price, Canterbury District Commander, confirmed a 37-year-old man had been charged with murder after the woman’s death.
He will appear in court tomorrow.
The victim, in her 50s, was not known to the offender.
“This was a gruesome, traumatic and random attack on an innocent person who was simply on his way home from work,” he said.
The suspect is known to police.
Price said their thoughts are with the victim’s grieving family dealing with the loss of a spouse, mother, friend and a colleague.
At this stage, the police will not disclose further details of the victim until all next of kin have been notified.
The traumatic, senseless act will have a huge impact on the community as a whole and right across New Zealand, he said.
“I want to emphasize that it was an isolated incident and we are not looking for anyone else.”
Price also wanted to reassure residents of their presence in the area while conducting a scene investigation and wanting to speak to witnesses. He also asked that anyone who saw anything, or anyone with CCTV footage, should come forward.
“Nobody deserves it.”
The knife was found at the scene.
Emergency services were called to Cheyenne St at 4:20 p.m. yesterday after reports a woman was stabbed in the street, he said.
Staff arrived shortly thereafter and provided assistance to a woman who was critically injured.
“She sadly died at the scene.”
The man was found nearby by police and arrested.
A second man was arrested, but was later found to be a relative of the man and was released.
The woman caught a bus and was walking from the bus stop when the attack happened.
The suspect’s brother arrived shortly after the incident.
Other agencies will be involved in the investigation, Price said, adding they want to get an overall picture of the motive, means and manner.
The community, and the family, “must understand the why” given the accidental nature of the horrific attack.
Price then spoke about a police shooting last night in Kaiapoi.
A man allegedly threatened members of the public with a metal bar and knife.
He attacked a police car with the metal bar when officers arrived.
He did not cooperate with the police – and tactical options, including taser, OC spraying and communication, were deployed several times, Price said.
But they had no effect on the man or his behavior.
He then entered a private residential driveway and police continued to talk to him.
After a further period of negotiation, police fired several shots and wounded the man.
The police provided medical assistance to the man before he was rushed to hospital. He is still there in a serious but stable condition. The operation was completed this morning.
Price asked witnesses to come forward.
“If you have any CCTV or cellphone footage, contact police at 105.”
Officers are still getting support, “as it will have a huge impact on them and their whanau.”
“This is not the outcome someone wanted to happen.”
The man’s family has been notified and is being supported.
His identity cannot be disclosed at this stage. The IPCA has been notified, while a police investigation and a critical incident investigation are also underway.
Price did not know how many officers fired shots.
It unfolded in 15-20 minutes, from the time the police first came across the man – their vehicle was attacked – before negotiation, tactical options, before the man “advanced on the police and they used firearms at that stage” .
He was hit in the abdomen, chest and limbs.
The individual was known to police, Price confirmed.
“The last thing any police officer wants to do is use firearms.”
Price stressed that the two incidents are not related.