An eight-year-old boy who died overnight following an attack on a group in the Hamilton suburb of Bader has been named by his family.
Zahquiel Taipeti was critically injured during the violent incident yesterday evening, which also put two adults in hospital.
“It is with great sadness and heartbreak that we announce the tragic passing of our boy Zahquiel John Thomas Patrick Taipeti,” a spokesperson of the family posted on Facebook.
The post named Zahquiel as the son of Mitikiro Woods and the late Shannon Taipeti. Woods is one of the two adults injured in yesterday’s attack. He remains in stable condition in hospital and is scheduled for surgery this afternoon.
“Rest in the arms of mum,” the post says.
Police outside a home on Anthony Cres, Hamilton, where an 8-year-old boy died. Photo / Mike Scott.
”Rest in eternal love.”
Since the family’s announcement, friends and relatives have posted tributes online in Zahquiel’s honour.
”You didn’t deserve this Zah. Fly home to the arms of your mum,” one online tribute to Zahquiel says.
Another family member wrote: ”Rest in eternal love little cousin. Give mummy big hugs and loves from all of us.”
“Go rock the heavens with your old lady, my boy,” another post says.
The family’s Facebook post says they plan to bring Zahquiel back “home” to Whakatane.
”At this point we are still waiting on what’s happening. We are currently still in Hamilton.”
The Herald understands the assault involved weapons. One neighbour reported seeing a man with blood on his face leave the property on a bike.
Hamilton City field crime manager, Inspector Darrell Harpur, says police have now launched a homicide investigation.
Police were called around 5.20pm on Sunday to reports of a “violent altercation”. Three people were taken to hospital - the boy, with critical injuries, and two other adults who had moderate and serious injuries.
“Sadly, the boy died from his injuries yesterday evening,” police say in a statement today.
A neighbour told NZME she heard shouting coming from the property.
”It was quite aggressive shouting and I saw my neighbours go over and see what it was about.”
She says the street is normally “pretty quiet”.
”A lot of the houses in here are a little community.”
A child has died overnight following an attack on a group in the Hamilton suburb of Bader. Photo / Mike Scott.
Another resident of the street, who also asked to be anonymous, says he isn’t surprised to see a police presence at the address.
”People were coming and going all the time down there,” he says.
”Police are always down there. But once the ambulance turned up we knew it was different.”
The scene at Anthony Crescent, Bader in Hamilton where a violent incident has resulted in the death of a boy overnight. Photo / Mike Scott.
A long-time resident of the area, who asked not to be named, says, ”All I know is there were three or four police cars here yesterday with an ambulance and a fire engine.”
He says he's aware the Bader neighbourhood has a reputation but has never had any negative experiences himself.
”It’s a pleasant street.”
A 37-year-old man, who was arrested at the scene, has now been charged with murder and assault, and is due to appear in Hamilton District Court today.
Nobody else is being sought in relation to the incident but police will remain in the area today, conducting further inquiries and a scene examination.
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