A person has been shot dead at the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist church in Manukau, New Zealand this morning, as a growing number of gang members gather at the scene. The victim appears to have been targeted by gang members.
Members inside the Seventh Day Adventist Community Church were put into lockdown. Members have since been let out. We are told that the killer has been caught.
The church's Christmas service was about to begin when the incident happened. The service involved a performance by children.
We are also told that the victim was a member of the Mongrel Mob who also had links to the Head Hunters. Apparently these are names of gangs in New Zealand.
A police spokesperson said officers received reports at 10 am that one person had been shot. ”Police can confirm that one person is deceased,” a police spokesman said.
Over two dozen police cars, dog handlers and armed offenders squad responded to the incident this morning.
One Manukau resident was on Puhinui Rd when he saw over 25 police cars rush to Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Community Church on Puhinui Rd just before 11 am.
The members who were present at the church are assisting Police with their investigation, Det Insp Va'aelua said. Police are also collecting CCTV footage from the church and it is proving to be very helpful.
A message from an Adventist in Auckland:
"Oh my goodness, we just finished watching the service and wondered why it started soo late. Now we understand the context of the prayer at the start."
The atmosphere was described as tense by a witness at the scene.
More details will be forthcoming….
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“Evil men and seducers will wax worse and worse . . .” (2 Timothy 3:13).
