Waikato Police investigating Friday's fatal shooting of a man outside a south Hamilton home warn two men sought in connection with the murder should not be approached.
District Crime Manager, Detective Inspector Karl Thornton, said Police also have a warning to anyone harbouring the two 17-year-olds, Mana WILLIAMS and Tyson-Tainui RUKUWAI TE TOMO, that they may face prosecution if they continue to do so.
"RUKUWAI TE TOMO is described as a male Maori of medium build about 175cm tall with a distinctive "Mighty Mongrel Mob" bulldog tattoo on the left cheek of his face.
"WILLIAMS is a male Maori of medium to solid build about 177cm tall with "RIP Ed" tattooed on his right forearm and "MDS" in old English script on his chest. Both men are believed to have access to firearms and are considered dangerous."
Mr Thornton advised against approaching the pair and said that anyone who saw them should not approach them but ring Police on 111 as soon as possible.
"These men are wanted in connection with the murder of 29 year old Michael James THOMPSON on Norrie St Hamilton on Friday.
"Mr THOMPSON'S body was returned to his family yesterday and a burial service took place in Tokoroa today. Police have expressed their condolences to his family who are being supported by Victim Support and they have asked us to pass on their request that their privacy be respected."
Mr Thornton said anyone harbouring RUKUWAI TE TOMO and WILLIAMS needed to be aware that they did so at their own risk.
"These men are considered to be a risk to the public and by actively assisting them to avoid Police you face prosecution yourself. What we would recommend you do instead is work with the Police to safely resolve this matter by advising us of their location to allow us to take them into custody without further incident.
"Currently we have about 25 Police staff working on the Operation Botany inquiry team. Our officers have received a lot of help and information from the public and we would like to thank them for this."
While the search for the two men continues, Mr Thornton said a lot of work remained to be done in and around the area where the incident took place.
"Our staff have gone door to door and spoken to residents as well as having conducted a number of searches of properties, gullies and streams working to find items of interest to the inquiry.
"Anyone with any information on the whereabouts of the two wanted men, or who saw anything related to Friday night's incident who hasn't already spoken to Police is asked to contact the Op Botany team at the Hamilton Central Police Station on 07 858 6200."
Alternatively, information can be left anonymously with the independent Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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