Reflecting on the arrest of a second offender in relation to the fatal shooting of a man outside a south Hamilton home on Friday, a senior Waikato Police officer says the job of locating those responsible would have been all the more harder without the support of the local community.
District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Karl Thornton, said following the arrest of a 17-year-old man by armed Police at a Hamilton address overnight, a second 17-year-old man surrendered himself to Police this morning.
"The man arrested overnight was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon, assault with a weapon and threatening to kill.
"The second man has been charged with murder and both are appearing in the Hamilton District Court today."
Mr Thornton said the team investigating Friday's murder of 29-year-old Michael James THOMPSON credited the assistance of the local community in enabling them to progress their case to this point.
"While I am very pleased with the results achieved so far the officer in charge of the investigation has asked me to stress the inquiry team still has a lot of work to do that will require the ongoing support of the local community.
"A large area canvas and search of surrounding properties, gullies, bush and waterways remains to be done and we would ask local residents to be vigilant and report anything unusual they may find."
Mr Thornton said this included items such as clothing, potential weapons or other items that appear out of place.
"In situations where someone finds something we ask that you don't touch it but leave it in situ and phone 111.
"With the help we have been getting from the public one of the challenges identified is that our area of interest widens meaning more time and resources are required to satisfy our inquiries. We ask that this co-operation continues."
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