Pakuranga murder: Community mourns as Tongan grandfather Saia Kokohu Vi dies

Tributes to Sayya Kokohu Wee have been pouring in on social media.
photo: Facebook/Provided

A Tongan grandfather is being treated for a suspected gunshot wound after he was shot dead in a delivery van east of Auckland on Monday morning. People in the community think he is a kind and lovely person..

Police have launched a homicide investigation after Saia Kokohu Vi was found injured in a van near his home at Pixie Place in Pakuranga and died at the scene a short time later.

Parish priest Faher Sherwn Lapaan of St Marks Pakuranga said the community, including the parish and school, shared Vee’s “deep grief” with his family.

It was an “extremely difficult time,” Lapaan said.

“We have offered our heartfelt support, condolences and prayers through the school to show our solidarity with the family.”

photo: New Zealand Herald/Jason Oxenham

Wei was a postal courier for Post Haste, the company confirmed. Neighbors on the street called him “a kind grandfather.”

Police have not announced any arrests, and neighbor Amanda Craig said the killing has unsettled locals.

“I think it’s shocking to a lot of people, and it’s horrible that something like this could happen in such a great community.

“They haven’t caught the shooter yet, and we don’t know who did it. Was it a targeted attack? Was it a random attack? Is the shooter still in the area? Until those questions are answered, we’re going to be scared.”

Police are looking for local surveillance footage

Detective Sergeant Shaun Vickers said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon that the investigation was continuing and formal identification would be carried out in the coming days.

“The police investigation remains ongoing and we continue to speak to witnesses and people with information to piece together the facts of the incident.

“The community will also see an increased police presence in the Pakuranga Heights area over the coming days.”

Police are still trying to find those involved in the incident so dashcam and CCTV footage is requested.

Anyone who was in Pakuranga Heights between 5.30am and 7.30am on Monday and has video of the incident is asked to report it to police.

Police would particularly like to hear from people in the area of ​​Cascades Road, Archmillen Avenue, Hope Farm Avenue or Marvon Downs Avenue.

“We would like to thank those who have spoken to us already and encourage anyone with any information, no matter how small, to contact our team,” Vickers said.