Tuesday, 1 March 2005 - 4:01pm |
Canterbury

Offender and weapon still sought

1 min read

Police are still seeking an offender and a weapon, says Detective Inspector Malcolm Johnston.

"Last night around midnight a passing patrol car came across a man stumbling in the grounds of St Lukes Anglican Church on Manchester/ Kilmore Streets, Christchurch," he says.

"The injured man spoke briefly to police at the scene before collapsing. An ambulance was called but the man died shortly after arrival at hospital."

There appears to have been an altercation between two people, he says. The man indicated that he had been stabbed. The post mortem examination confirmed that injuries were consistent with a sharp weapon, says Malcolm Johnston. At this time neither the offender nor the weapon have been located.

Residents in the area of Manchester / Madras/ Peterborough/ Kilmore Streets, towards the suburb of Richmond, are asked to search their properties for any sharp weapon such as a knife.

"Some one may have heard something last night after midnight, and we asking them to contact police."

There are currently about 30 officers working on the inquiry.

The name of the deceased cannot be released as next of kin have not been located.

"We believe the 33 year old man had been resident in Christchurch for about four years, however he was formerly from Auckland," D.I Johnston says.

"I'd like to thank the public, especially those people who have been unable to get back into their homes and businesses today," says Malcolm Johnston. "They will be able to return today. I'd also like to thank motorists who have been patient with road closures."