A bouquet of flowers lay forlorn on the front steps of the Christchurch home of the man who died in a stand-off with police early yesterday.
Flowers on the doorstep of the St Martin's house where Troy Dubrovskiy lived. Photo: Photo / Karen Brown
Troy Dubovskiy, 54, died in his car around 4am yesterday, after a three-hour stand-up with police.
He's not been named by police but family members have confirmed it was Mr Dubovskiy, a welder, who had a son and a former partner in Christchurch.
According to his father, Vlad, he was a gun "fanatic", having been a former bank security guard in the Ukraine. He added he was no terrorist or public threat.
A warning sign on the door of his St Martins home shows a hand holding a large gun, above the words: "Forget the dog, beware of owner".
But the flowers below offer a softer different perspective.
A note with them says: "Thinking of you and your family at this sad time. I enjoyed our chats on my daily walk. You were always so lovely to my dogs and children. Sorry this happened to you. [signed] Your neighbours up the road. Rest in peace."
Near the flowers sat several pairs of shoes on a wooden frame. The garage was freshly covered in black plastic, and the garden appeared freshly cleared of scrub and weeds.
Notice on the St Martin's door of Christchurch man Troy Dubovskiy who died after a standoff with police near Richmond Park yesterday. Photo: Photo / Karen Brown
In their own Christchurch home, Mr Dubovskiy's parents, Vlad and Inna, are pleading with police for details about how their only son died, and the events that led up to his death.
When RNZ called today they did not know where Mr Dubrovskiy's son is. They fear he may have been arrested in connection with ammunition and a firearm found in his room. Attempts to contact Mr Dubovskiy's former partner have been unsuccessful.
Vlad said he came to New Zealand alone first, in 1997, as a political refugee from Ukraine. He said the other family members followed later, and added the Troy was also a refugee.
He said while he worked as a welder, Troy was not strong physically, having sustained a shoulder injury in the Christchurch quakes that he and Inna said caused him pain and went untreated for a long time.
Troy is reported in media today to have had an illegal modified semi-automatic rifle.
Vlad said he himself did not understand that such a firearm needed to be registered with police.
He said what had happened to his son is "unfair".
Police said the death has been referred to the Coroner, and declined to answer other questions.