Driver runs down 2 New Zealand law enforcement officials, killing 1

A driver ran down two New Zealand law enforcement officials as they patrolled on foot within the early hours of New Yr’s Day, killing one and significantly injuring the opposite, the nation’s police chief mentioned.

The assault jolted a rustic the place the killing of law enforcement officials on obligation is uncommon. Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was the primary feminine officer in New Zealand’s historical past killed by a prison act whereas at work, police mentioned Thursday.

In Wednesday’s assault, the car drove into the officers “at velocity” as they carried out a routine patrol of a car parking zone, earlier than the driving force turned and rammed a police automobile, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers informed reporters within the South Island metropolis of Nelson. Fleming died in a neighborhood hospital hours later.

A 32-year-old man was arrested over the incident shortly after it occurred, at about 2 a.m. native time. He was charged with eight prison counts, together with homicide, tried homicide, assault utilizing a car as a weapon and driving whereas disqualified.

The opposite officer struck by the automobile was in severe situation however was anticipated to make a full restoration, Chambers mentioned. A 3rd officer who was within the rammed police automobile obtained a concussion and two members of the general public have been damage, one in every of them after coming to assist the injured officers.

Chambers condemned the “mindless act of a person who seems to have been decided to trigger hurt,” though he didn’t counsel a motive.

“There was, at this stage, no indication that was what about to happen, occurred,” Chambers mentioned.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell informed reporters the officers have been “focused in what I take into account a really cowardly assault.” It was a “devastating day” for police and for the nation, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote on X.

The assault occurred in a downtown space of Nelson — inhabitants 55,000 — near the road the place town’s New Yr’s Eve celebrations had concluded two hours earlier than.

Earlier than Wednesday, the final killing of a police officer on obligation in New Zealand was in 2020, when an officer was shot by a fleeing driver. Thirty-three different officers have died by prison acts whereas on obligation since 1890, in keeping with police data.

Fleming had been an officer for 38 years and was a long-serving netball coach at a neighborhood ladies’ highschool.

“She’s a mom, she’s a spouse and she or he’s a well known and extremely revered member of the Nelson group,” Chambers mentioned.

The person charged is because of seem in courtroom on Friday. A homicide conviction in New Zealand attracts an automated sentence of life in jail, with the presiding decide setting a non-parole interval of at the least 10 years.