Key Takeaways:
- A violent and unprovoked assault occurred in Wellington, New Zealand, involving four masked individuals, one of whom was armed with a weapon.
- Seven young people were injured, with one requiring surgery for a fractured skull.
- An 18-year-old Tawa man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
- Police are seeking information from the public to identify three other individuals seen on security cameras.
- The alleged offenders were seen at a Mobil gas station in Johnsonville 20 minutes prior to the assault.
Introduction to the Incident
Around 10:30 pm, a group of four people arrived uninvited at a gathering, where they carried out a planned and violent assault on seven young people. The alleged offenders were masked, and one of them was armed with a weapon. The attack was unprovoked, and the victims received a range of injuries, from minor bruising to a fractured skull, which required surgery. Fortunately, all the victims are now home and recovering from their injuries.
Police Investigation
The police have been speaking with the victims and the large number of witnesses to gather more information about the incident. According to Detective Murdoch, the police have been able to establish that the alleged offenders attended a Mobil gas station in Johnsonville around 20 minutes prior to the assault. This information has helped the police to piece together the events leading up to the attack. The police are now appealing for information from the public that would help them identify three other people seen on security cameras, who they believe could assist in their inquiries.
Description of the Alleged Offenders
The police have released descriptions of the three men they are seeking to identify. One man was wearing a "36" Pittsburgh Steelers NFL jersey, light-coloured denim shorts, and blue and white basketball sneakers. The second man wore a black hoodie with "Lakers" printed on the front, dark-coloured shorts, white sneakers, and had a diamante stud earring in their left ear. A third person, who cannot be seen in the images, has been described as wearing a grey hoodie, beige/grey shorts, and black sneakers. The police are urging anyone who may know the identities of these men or who attended the gathering to come forward and contact them.
Arrest and Charges
An 18-year-old Tawa man has been arrested and charged with multiple counts, including wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, assault with intent to injure, and common assault. He is due to appear in the Wellington District Court on January 29. The police are continuing their investigation and are working to identify the other individuals involved in the assault. The arrest and charges are a significant step forward in the investigation, and the police are hopeful that they will be able to bring all those responsible to justice.
Public Appeal for Information
The police are appealing for information from the public to help them identify the three men seen on security cameras. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police online at 105.police.govt.nz, using the reference number 251217/8772. The police are grateful for any information that the public can provide, and they are confident that with the help of the community, they will be able to solve the case and bring those responsible to justice. The public’s assistance is crucial in helping the police to piece together the events surrounding the assault and to identify those involved. By working together, the police and the community can help to keep the community safe and ensure that those who commit violent crimes are held accountable.
