Porirua Police have launched a homicide inquiry after a young man was attacked early this morning outside the Cannons Creek shops and died a short time later in Kenepuru Hospital.
Another man who was with him is in Wellington Hospital where he is being treated for a non life threatening injury to his back.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Oxnam, head of Porirua CIB, said police are unable to release details of the victim at this stage, or the nature of his injuries.
He said police were alerted by ambulance at 2.40am that they were responding to an assault outside the shopping centre.
"We're still working through what has happened. The indications are that the man who died was with a group of friends," he said. "They were waiting for a taxi when it appears that a car pulled up, a man got out and a violent and unprovoked attack took place during which the two victims were injured.
"The two victims were taken to Kenepuru Hospital and one died a short time later."
Police are appealing for information that will help them find the offender who left the scene in a car before emergency services arrived. Officers are still talking with witnesses and hope to release further details later today.
Police have cordoned off a large part of the Cannons Creek shopping centre on the intersections of Warspite and Mungavin Avenues and the western end of Bedford Street, to allow for a forensic scene examination to take place. Several shops including a service station are closed.
Ends
Media contact: Kaye Calder, Wellington Police District Communications Manager. Cellphone: 027 437 3020
Media conference: 3.30pm, Porirua Police Station, Hagley Street, Porirua.