Murder charge laid after shooting

Press, 1 March 1989, Page 8

Murder charge laid after shooting

PA Wellington A 32-year-old former member of the Mongrel Mob has been charged with • murder after the fatal shooting of a Black Power member in Rotorua. John Adrian Wiremu Tekiri, aged 29, of Rotorua, was shot dead during a confrontation between the Mongrel Mob and Black Power in Rotorua just after midnight yesterday. Senior-Sergeant Dave Donaldson, of Rotorua, said three Mongrel Mob members appeared in the District Court at Rotorua yesterday morning charged with unlawful assembly. Two others have also been charged with unlawful assembly. Fourteen members of the Black Power gang have been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. The 14 Black Power members and two Mongrel Mob members will appear in the District Court at Rotorua today. “There are still a few gang members on the street but things are quiet at this stage,” Sergeant Donaldson said. “We are keeping an eye on things.” Earlier, Detective Senior-Sergeant John Dewar, in charge of the inquiry, said quick and positive action was now needed to stop gang violence increasing. Anyone implicated in any related offence would be arrested, he said. The fatal shooting happened when up to 10 gang members attacked opposing members in two houses. Mr Tekiri was shot in the head during the fracas and died instantly, Sergeant Dewar said. The shooting came after a spate of attacks and counter-attacks on property and cars by rival gang members, which began on Monday afternoon. During the attacks, bottles were thrown through windows and softball bats and pick-axes used to smash car headlights and windows. It was too early in the inquiry to say what had sparked the confrontation.