Auckland gunman was on home detention for domestic violence offences

The identity of the 24-year-old gunman who carried out the deadly Auckland CBD shooting has been revealed as details emerge about his past.

The man responsible for Auckland’s deadly CBD shooting was on home detention for domestic violence offences, it has emerged.

New Zealand media has named the gunman as 24-four-year-old Matu Tangi Matua Reid, who was reportedly subject to electronic monitoring via an ankle bracelet tracker.

Commissioner of Police Andrew Coster confirmed the man was on home detention, but had an exemption to work on the building site where the gun rampage took place.

‘The individual is known for primarily family violence history. There is nothing to suggest that he has a higher level of risk than was indicated by that history,’ Commissioner Coster said. 

Matu Tangi Matua Reid - on home detention for domestic violence - when he committed the shooting

He said the motivation for the attack was unclear but there were some indications of mental health history, of which police don’t yet have the details. 

‘There has been previous search of his property, but never found him in possession of a firearm,’ the commissioner said.

The gunman had appeared for sentencing in the Auckland District Court earlier this year, after admitting to charges of impeding breathing, injuring with intent to injure, wilful damage, and male assaults female, the New Zealand Herald reports.

He was sentenced to five months’ home detention on the four charges when he appeared for sentence before Judge Stephen Bonnar KC on March 28.

Home detention generally requires sentenced offenders to remain at their approved home address, but there can be provisions allowing people to continue employment at a designated, approved workplace.

A gunman opened fire at a building site in central Auckland leaving two people and the shooter dead. AFP

The gunman opened fire just after 7.20am Thursday morning, killing two people and injuring six others, including at least one police officer. The gunman was also killed during the attack.

New Zealand's prime minister said a shooting that killed two people in central Auckland was not linked to a national security threat. Picture: AFP

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the shooting was not politically or ideologically motivated, while police confirmed just one attacker was involved in the “contained and isolated” incident.

The shooter was on home detention after admitting to a string of domestic violence charges. Picture: AFP

The team at TYLA Youth Development Trust, who had reportedly worked with the shooter in 2017 were “dealing with the situation” internally, co-general manager, Jolene Cartwright told New Zealand publication, Stuff.

“Our thoughts go out to everyone involved in the tragic situation that’s unfolded,” Ms Cartwright said.

A woman known to the gunman said he “seemed good” the night before the shooting. Picture: AFP

A woman who said she spoke to the gunman the night before his deadly rampage told the publication that “everything seemed good”.

“I spoke to him last night when he said he loved us.”

The women said the alleged offender seemed excited about catching up with her.

“His phone went dead this morning.”

Originally published as Auckland gunman was on home detention for domestic violence offences