A group of extraordinary individuals who put themselves in harm’s way to save the lives of others as terror unfolded at a West Auckland supermarket have been formally recognised.
On 3 September 2021, violent extremist Ahamed Samsudeen entered the LynnMall Countdown supermarket and launched a brutal knife attack, inflicting serious and sometimes critical injuries on several people before being fatally shot by police.
Amid the chaos, a small group of civilians and Police personnel responded with extraordinary bravery – administering first aid, evacuating others, and helping contain the situation. Their actions saved lives and prevented further harm.
The recognition service, hosted by Waitematā District Police on 30 September, brought together community members, Police staff and proud whānau and colleagues to honour those who ran toward danger to protect others.
The Royal Humane Society of New Zealand, which has recognised acts of bravery since 1898, awarded Certificates of Merit to 14 individuals whose actions endangered their own lives in the service of others. These awards are among the highest civilian honours for courage and humanity in New Zealand.
Among the recipients were a security guard - just two days into the job and 19 years old at the time - who confronted the offender and helped evacuate people from the store, a Woolworths staffer, shoppers and Police staff who provided critical first aid to victims.
Commissioner Richard Chambers presented the awards and delivered the opening address, expressing deep gratitude to the recipients for their courageous actions.
He commended their selfless response, noting their efforts helped avert greater tragedy.
Waitematā District Commander Superintendent Naila Hassan echoed these sentiments. “Bravery is not the absence of fear - it is the decision to act in spite of it," she said.
"Each of you made that decision, and today we honour you not just for what you did, but for who you are.”
"Your actions speak volumes of your character and integrity. Thank you for being the kind of person who chose to act when others needed you most."
Naila acknowledged the collective efforts of all Police staff involved in the incident, dubbed Operation Rally, including specialist teams, the brave survivors and those who have already received New Zealand Bravery Awards.
Woolworths New Lynn management have been awarded a Commissioner’s Commendation Certificate for their leadership and support during and after the attack.
Certificates of Merit were presented to four police officers and six members of the public. A further four recipients were unable to attend.
Citations - Police staff
Detective Samuel Walker
At the time of the incident, Samuel Walker was an employee of New Zealand Police, holding the designation of Detective Constable.
Sam is an ex-paramedic. He was employed by Hato Hone St John for four years before joining Police. He has a Bachelor of Health Science with a major in paramedicine.
Upon arrival at the scene, he conducted a rapid triage assessment of the victims. This resulted in him identifying victims as ‘Status 1’ (threat to life), and the offender Samsudeen as ‘Status 0’ (deceased). Working alongside Ross Tomlinson, he provided critical life-saving medical aid to the victims.
He inserted an intravenous line into two victims, which allowed ambulance staff to quickly and effectively administer medication. He played a crucial role in triaging victims prior to ambulance services arriving on scene.
Constable Samuel Holland
At the time of the incident Samuel Holland was an employee of New Zealand Police, holding the rank of Constable.
Upon arrival at the confronting and dynamic scene, Constable Holland provided first aid to a victim, specifically providing advice around how to stop the bleeding to her partially severed thumb.
Sergeant Alexandra Waworis
At the time of the incident Alex Waworis was an employee of New Zealand Police, holding the rank of Sergeant.
Upon arrival at the confronting and dynamic scene, Sergeant Waworis applied pressure to a wound on the right chest area of a victim to minimise the bleeding.
Constable Victoria Mason
At the time of the incident, Victoria Mason was an employee of New Zealand Police, holding the rank of Constable.
Upon arrival at the confronting and dynamic scene, Constable Mason attended to a critically injured victim, using clean nappies and blankets to apply pressure to a large laceration on their torso.
Citations – civilian recipients
Susan Fox
At the time of the incident Susan Fox worked as a nurse. She was in New Lynn Mall when she heard someone shout that somebody had been stabbed. She saw the victim collapse to the ground and attended to him, providing first aid until she was told to run by a security guard.
Yasmin Folekene
At the time of the incident Yasmin Folekene was employed by Countdown New Lynn.
She was the fresh food manager for the store and, on witnessing the offender stabbing people, instructed staff and customers to evacuate the store and contacted emergency services. She remained at the front entrance of the store, preventing members of the public entering.
She assisted with first aid and then accounted for the whereabouts of the Countdown staff members.
Luke Mayo
At the time of the incident, Luke Mayo was 19 years old and working as a security guard for Kiwi Property Group, LynnMall.
It was his second day on the job.
At the time of the incident he was in LynnMall when he heard screaming from the Countdown supermarket. He ran to the store and saw a male victim on the ground, and other victims. He saw a member of the public confront the offender and started yelling at the offender to keep back as the offender began to advance on him. He was present when Police staff shot the offender.
After the event he assisted with removing people from the store.
Lucy Hill-Khan
Lucy Hill-Khan is the partner of Rodney Khan who has received a Bravery Medal from the Royal Humane Society for his actions on that day.
On the day of the incident Lucy saw her husband confront the offender and assisted in telling people to evacuate the store. As she was doing this, then attending to her husband who had sustained a dislocated shoulder, she saw and attended to a victim who had collapsed at the checkouts after being stabbed by the offender in the stomach.
After hearing gunshots, both Lucy and her husband left the store and waited in the car for medical attention.
Jonathan Mapusua
At the time of the incident, Jonathan Mapusua was employed by Kiwi Property Group as mall security for LynnMall.
On the day of the attack he was in the process of completing a handover with another mall security member when he saw members running from the Countdown store on CCTV.
He ran toward the store and heard people say there was a guy with a knife in the store. He saw a victim injured at the checkouts and got medical supplies and gave them to the people assisting the victim.
After the shooting he assisted by providing first aid to the victims until ambulance services arrived.
Trevor Sutor
On the day of the incident Trevor Sutor was in the supermarket with his fiancé when he overheard what he thought was an argument, with a woman shouting.
He saw the offender hit the victim and the victim call for help. As he walked over to assist her he noticed blood on the floor and realised she had been stabbed. He applied his hand to the serious wound she had sustained to stem the bleeding.
As he was attending to this victim, the offender returned and charged at Mr Sutor, shoving him backwards and beginning to chase him before turning and chasing another person. Trevor heard shouting that there was a gun involved, so he left the store, located his fiancée and returned to his home address.
Sharon Colquhon
At the time of the incident, Sharon Colquhon was working full-time as a bus driver for NZ Bus.
Sharon was on her lunch break in her bus when she assisted one of the victims, allowing her on to the bus and providing reassurance. She then drove the victim to the bus depot for medical attention while calling 111.
Monica Seve
At the time of the incident Monica Seve was with her partner at Countdown supermarket and, when told there was a stabbing, she left the supermarket and went outside.
She noticed a victim come out with blood on her jeans and assisted the injured person by applying first aid and reassuring her. Upon hearing gunshots, the injured victim fled, seeking further shelter. Monica collected the victim’s property and ensured it was returned to her.
Rahul Rall
At the time of the incident Rahul Rall was employed by Countdown New Lynn.
On the day of the attack, he was working in the storeroom when he heard two or three women screaming from within the store. He exited the storeroom, noticed the victims and blood on the floor and saw the offender. He phoned 111 and then attended to the victims, assisting other victims by sourcing first aid material and checking the store for other customers or victims.
Darian Sundars
Darian Sundars was in the Countdown store at the checkout when he heard loud commotion and saw people moving with confusion and haste.
He saw the offender and attempted to keep an eye of his movements. He grabbed two frying pans for protection and saw other members of the public confront the offender.
With the attack still occurring, he approached the victims and gave first aid, applying pressure to several of the victims’ wounds to minimise bleeding. To ensure one victim did not lose consciousness, he continually reassured her, telling her she would OK, despite the victim telling him she was going to die.
Mr Sundars’ actions during and after the attack contributed to preventing further casualties and assisted in the victim’s recovery.