Constable Matthew Hunt was killed by a shot in the back. Hunt’s death marked the first police fatality in the line of duty in New Zealand since 2009. Eli Epiha murdered Constable Matthew Hunt and attempted to murder a second officer with a high-powered semi-automatic rifle. “Accordingly, I have decided not to open an inquiry in relation to Constable Hunt’s death.”A powerful haka was performed at Matthew Hunt's funeral at Eden Park. A military-style semi-automatic rifle entered into evidence in the trial of Eli Epiha at the Auckland High Court over the murder of Constable Matthew Hunt and the attempted murder of Constable David Goldfinch.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 19, 2023 03:18 UTC