Police attended a disorder incident that turned violent in Mt Roskill today.
Shortly after midday, Police were called to a church in Parkinson Ave, Mt Roskill, where two people had received injuries. It was believed that the people responsible had left the scene.
The attending Police sergeant called the sole attending ambulance officer to the scene to treat the injured people.
“While rendering first aid, a group of men returned to the scene and threatened to kill police, ambulance staff and people who were attending the church gathering,” says Superintendent Richard Chambers, Auckland City Police District Commander. “One person was armed with a machete.”
The attending Sergeant, who was unarmed, barricaded the church doors while the men conducted a frenzied attack on the door and windows trying to gain entry with the machete.
“He attempted to reason with the men through the window, in an effort to calm them down, however this was unsuccessful,” says Superintendent Chambers.
Having been prevented entry, the men ran from the scene when they heard Police sirens arriving but were apprehended shortly after.
A 54 year old man has been arrested and charged with serious assault (in relation to the initial disorder) and a 29 year old man has been arrested and charged with threatens to kill, possession of an offensive weapon and intentional damage.
"Although two people did receive injuries in the disorder event that Police were initially called to, we are thankful that no further serious injury has resulted from this incident. The end result is a credit to the courage and good decision making of the attending Police Sergeant and St John ambulance officer," says Superintendent Chambers.
The two offenders will appear in the Auckland District Court on Monday morning. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
ENDS
Issued by Kimberley Mathews/Communications Manager
021 192 0717