To be attributed to Detective Inspector Kevin Burke:
Investigations are continuing into the death of a 37-year-old man, who died after being dropped off at Whangarei St John Ambulance Station early yesterday morning.
Following the formal identification this morning, we can now confirm the deceased was John Henry Harris, known as John Boy, aged 37 from the Far North.
Mr Harris was a patched member of the Tribesman Motorcycle Club.
A post-mortem has confirmed that he died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Based on our enquiries to date, we believe this incident was gang related and for that reason we do not believe there is any on-going risk to members of the public.
However, identifying and locating the person or persons involved in this incident remains our number one priority.
We can also confirm that this incident is not connected to the murder of Moses Mahanga that occurred on Tuesday 4 October.
Specialist Police staff and ESR scientists will continue to examine the two addresses we believe are connected to the incident, as the enquiry attempts to reconstruct the events that took place leading up to Mr Harris’.
The incident is believed to have been between members of the Tribesman MC who were in a dispute over a vehicle.
Police are looking for information and any sightings of two vehicles believed to be involved in the incident.
The first is a red 2007 Holden Commodore, registration JCS248, that police believe was towed from an address on Hassard Street in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The second vehicle of interest is a black 2011 Holden Commodore, registration FZC162. This vehicle was found on fire at Lovell Road, in Ruatangata just after 12:00pm on Tuesday afternoon.
We are seeking any sightings by the public of these two vehicles in the Whangarei area in the days before Tuesday 18 October.
We are also still asking any members of the public who may have witnessed a group of men gathered in the Whangarei or Kamo areas in the early hours of yesterday morning to contact Whangarei Police.
Anyone with information can contact Whangarei Police on 09 430 4500.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre