Hori Gage and his whānau. Photo: Supplied
A child in the same vehicle as a man shot dead in Palmerston North last month tried to defend him, as did the victim's partner, police have revealed.
Hori Gage, 27, was in a car outside an address on Croyden Ave on 6 August when he was shot. It was previously reported his children were in the vehicle, and on Wednesday police said his partner Amythest was too.
"Amethyst and her 11-year-old son attempted to defend Gage during the incident, and had a firearm aimed at them while the offender escaped," they said.
It was not clear from the police's statement if the 11-year-old was also Gage's child.
The offenders left in a Nissan Teana with the registration HLQ924, which "travelled in convoy with two other vehicles before it was set on fire on Aranui Road and burnt out".
The other two vehicles - a Silver SsangYong Rexton and a Silver Subaru Legacy station wagon - had been recovered and were being examined by police.
Police said they wanted to speak to anyone who saw the vehicles.
"Gage was ambushed by those responsible whilst sitting in the front seat of his car - he was vulnerable and unable to defend himself. Police are committed to holding those involved in this horrific crime accountable for their actions."
Last week, Detective Sergeant Dave Wilson said the homicide might have been linked to events at a bar two days earlier, while there were media reports it was linked to a gang brawl outside the Castle 789 pub.
"My baby, our dad, was more than just a Mongrel Mob member," Tukaki said in comments provided by the police.
"He is a father, partner, brother, son, uncle and friend. He is loved by many, and he didn't deserve any of this. His family didn't deserve to witness this disgusting act of inhumanity.
"Do the right thing and come forward with any information.
"We spent 13 years together, and now four beautiful children have to live the rest of their life with no father and me with no partner. We just hope no more families have to go through this horror.
"Do the right thing. Coming home from a family day out, our babies sitting in the back seat. This is our family home. Our family car. We could have all been buried.
"What makes any of this okay? What if it was your family?"