Auckland Police investigating the vicious assault on a 17 year-old De La Salle schoolboy in Grey Lynn last Sunday morning say there is nothing to substantiate the rumour in some media quarters that race issues were behind the assault.
The victim is still in a critical but stable condition in Auckland Hospital and the investigation into the matter is ongoing, but Detective Senior Sergeant Gerry Whitley said extensive inquiries carried out over the last week have confirmed that the motive for the attack was inter-school rivalry.
"It would be irresponsible and possibly dangerous for anyone to suggest otherwise," he said. "The danger lies in validating an unsubstantiated rumour to the level where it could motivate some people to carry out acts of violence.
"Representatives of both De La Salle and St Paul's College have worked very hard this past week to reconcile any differences the students from both schools may have. I would hate to see that excellent work undone by an irresponsible rumour."
Mr Whitley said that no arrests have been made in connection with the assault but that the investigaiton is making good progress. He encouraged anyone who had information that might help Police to contact the Avondale CIB on 820 5700.
ENDS
Issued by Noreen Hegarty
Auckland City Police Communications Manager
Ph 09 302 6947 or 0274-951-589
Website: www.police.govt.nz