New Zealand / Crime

Man shot at Henderson Police Station named as David Lolie Junior Fononga

16:07 pm on 21 March 2023

The suspect fired at police on at least seven occasions, police said. Photo: RNZ Marika Khabazi

The man fatally shot at an Auckland police station last week was 26-year-old David Lolie Junior Fononga, police said on Tuesday.

Fononga died in hospital on Friday afternoon after being shot by police outside the Henderson Police Station, after allegedly holding up a cash-in-transit van at a petrol station on Henderson Valley Road that morning.

Nobody was injured in that initial incident, but he returned soon afterwards and pointed a gun at a police officer, before fleeing in a vehicle.

The suspect fired at police on at least seven occasions, Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan said on Friday evening, and may have also fired at members of the public.

On arrival at the station he got out of his vehicle, brandishing a weapon, and ignored police warnings - and was shot.

Hassan called it an "inexcusable act of violence towards police staff and members of the public". One officer received minor injuries while taking evasive action.

On Tuesday, Hassan said investigations into the incident were still ongoing. She said police's thoughts were with Fononga's family "at this difficult time".

Fononga was known to police, on active charges relating to drugs and violence.

Police have requested anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage, videos or photos to upload them via https://electric.nc3.govt.nz. Information can be provided via 105, referencing file number 230317/3304.