By RNZ.co.nz
The gunman who was shot dead by police in Glen Eden in West Auckland on Monday morning has been named.
He was 55-year-old Tex Witika, also known as Rex.
He was killed and three officers were shot and injured in the stand-off.
Police were called to the property on Danube Lane in Glen Eden at 8.17am after reports of a house fire and a man discharging a firearm.
The house was engulfed in flames when police arrived.
They tried to engage the man to disarm over 30 minutes but he became increasingly agitated and aggressive, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said earlier this week.
In a statement, Waitematā district commander superintendent Naila Hassan said: “Two of our officers who were shot at the address have since been released from Auckland Hospital. One officer remains in hospital in a stable condition.”
She said there had been an overwhelming response from the community in providing police with footage of the incident.
“And we continue to encourage anyone who was recording the incident or any activity before it occurred to upload it into the portal .”
Hassan thanked the community and acknowledged “the courage shown by our staff who attended this tragic incident”.
“Police is ensuring our officers who were shot as well as those who were involved in this incident are being provided with welfare and are being well supported by their colleagues and the wider organisation.”
As investigations continue, there will be no update on the case for next few days.
