House occupant sought in east Auckland death probe

Police are seeking the occupant of an east Auckland house that a man, gunned down in an execution-style killing, was found outside of.

Police were called after neighbour saw the man's body lying at the end of a driveway of a house in Tullis Place, Botany Downs, about 7.45pm on Sunday.

Emergency services tried to revive the man but he died later in hospital.

It was originally reported that the man died from stab wounds but police revealed yesterday afternoon that he had died from a gunshot wound to the chest.

The victim has not been formally identified but police believe they know who he is.

Detective Inspector Mark Gutry said a firearm was recovered from the house but it had not yet been established whether it was the weapon that killed the man.

The firearm was "possibly" the same used in the shooting, with more expected to be known following the autopsy today, he told Radio New Zealand.

No-one was at the house when police arrived but it was believed that other people were there when the shooting occurred.

Police were urging them, the occupant, and any other witnesses to come forward.

Mr Gutry said the victim did not live at the address but was known to the occupant, however they were not related.

There did not appear to be gang connections.

"Those are things we've got to confirm. We are talking to other people who know these people and starting to build up a picture of who they are and why this may have happened."

Mr Gutry said he believed the shooting was a "contained incident" and the man they were seeking in connection did not pose a danger to the general public.

He was confident they would find the occupant of the house and urged him to come forward.

"It's probably easier if the occupier comes to see us," he said.

Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to ring Counties Manukau police 09 211 300 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

- with Stuff.co.nz

- NZPA