Hot topics close

Onehunga bus attack live updates: Police give update after ...

Onehunga bus attack live updates Police give update after
The victim was a bus passenger - she did not know her attacker.
  • Armed police descended on an Onehunga street overnight near the scene of a fatal stabbing on a bus.
  • Councillor Josephine Bartley said police have “strong leads” and are reviewing CCTV footage.
  • Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Police Minister Mark Mitchell condemned the “cowardly and horrific” incident.

Police have provided an update this morning on the investigation into a fatal stabbing on a bus in Onehunga, Auckland, yesterday - confirming the victim was a woman unknown to the attacker.

Acting Detective Inspector Alisse Robertson spoke from Auckland central police station in Freemans Bay.

Robertson released pictures of Kael Austin Leona - a suspect in the attack - who was identified on CCTV footage.

A female bus passenger died after being stabbed in Onehunga about 2.30pm yesterday.

Advertise with NZME.

She had been taken to hospital in a critical condition with multiple wounds.

Maungakiekie-Tāmaki Ward councillor Josephine Bartley told the Herald the police hunt for the offender is ongoing.

Armed police descended on Moana Ave in Onehunga last night, not far from the scene of the bus stabbing.

They cordoned off both sides of a house, with detectives seen entering the driveway of a home and questioning neighbours.

Police would not confirm this morning if the two incidents were related.

Bartley said: “I think ultimately the best reassurance our communities can get is that the police catch this person as soon as possible”.

She said Superintendent Scott Gemmel told her this morning police have “strong leads”.

“They will update me as soon as they find this person.”

Advertise with NZME.

She said Auckland Transport had given footage of the attack to police.

A 'large number' of police descended on Moana Ave, Onehunga. Photo / Hayden Woodward
A 'large number' of police descended on Moana Ave, Onehunga. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Emergency services, including Hato Hone St John, responded to the Church St, Onehunga, stabbing.

Shortly before 6pm, police confirmed the victim - a passenger - had died.

A person was fatally stabbed in an assault on a bus on Church St in Onehunga. Photo / Hayden Woodward
A person was fatally stabbed in an assault on a bus on Church St in Onehunga. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Speaking from the scene, police Inspector Danny Meade told the Herald one person had fled after the stabbing.

“We’re working incredibly hard to try to locate this offender; somewhere in the local area, we think.”

Minister of Transport and Minister for Auckland Simeon Brown said he was “disgusted by the cowardly and horrific incident”.

Advertise with NZME.

“All New Zealanders deserve to be safe from harm when using public transport.”

Armed police search a property on Victoria St, Onehunga, after a stabbing on a bus nearby. Photo / Hayden Woodward
Armed police search a property on Victoria St, Onehunga, after a stabbing on a bus nearby. Photo / Hayden Woodward

Police Minister Mark Mitchell took to social media last night, calling the incident a “senseless homicide”.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim,” Mitchell said.

“This gratuitous violence has no place in our communities.”

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of the victim of the senseless homicide on a bus today in Auckland. Police continue to urgently search for the offender who they have identified. This gratuitous violence has no place in our communities.

— Mark Mitchell (@MarkMitchellMP) October 23, 2024

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022.

Sign up to The Daily H, a free newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Advertise with NZME.
Save

    Share this article

  • Copy Link
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter/X
  • LinkedIn
  • Reddit
Similar shots
News Archive
  • George Santos
    George Santos
    The Rise and Fall of George Santos Is a Lesson for America
    20 Aug 2024
    19
  • Spain vs France
    Spain vs France
    Euro 2024 Spain 2-1 France: Lamine Yamal's wonder goal helps ...
    9 Jul 2024
    5
  • Entrust
    Entrust
    Hundreds of thousands of Auckland households and businesses are ...
    19 Sep 2024
    2
  • John Bolton
    John Bolton
    John Bolton is finally gone. But can his path of destruction be reversed?
    11 Sep 2019
    1
  • Megan Is Missing
    Megan Is Missing
    TikTokers Are Scaring Themselves Senseless Over This Controversial Movie About A Missing Teen Girl
    15 Nov 2020
    5
  • Crusaders vs Jaguares
    Crusaders vs Jaguares
    Super Rugby: Everything you need to know about the Crusaders v Jaguares final
    5 Jul 2019
    2
This week's most popular shots