A resident living in a Christchurch housing complex now at the centre of a homicide investigation has described feeling terrified and abandoned after a violent confrontation involving the deceased moments before the fatal incident.
A homicide investigation was launched following the death of a man in Mairehau on Sunday last night. Emergency services were called to a housing complex on Innes Road around 9.15pm.
The resident, who does not want to be identified due to fears for personal safety, said the man had been intimidating tenants for months.
The situation escalated on Sunday night when he allegedly entered multiple homes, smashed property, and made violent threats.
“He walked into five units in the complex, smashed up one, threatened a person inside, then came to my house, tampered with my door, looked in my window, and walked straight in,” the resident said.
The individual allegedly threatened to kill the resident and made bizarre statements before sitting on the couch and continuing his verbal abuse.
“He told me he would slit my throat. I was terrified.”
“I tried to get out, but he wasn’t going to let me. As soon as I had the chance, I ran out of my flat and called the police.”
The resident was one of the last people to see the deceased alive and recalled the unsettling final moments before fleeing the home.
“He was in my house, sitting on my couch, laughing at me, calling me a b***h. I ran out the door, and that was the last time I saw him. Next thing, there’s a crime scene.”
Police arrived, but the resident claimed they were treated as if they had done something wrong. “I was detained on the street for over two hours and wasn’t even allowed to use the toilet or get a drink.”
The resident said the man had been intimidating others in the complex for months, including elderly tenants, and had been entering people’s homes uninvited, taking what he wanted.
“He’s been terrorising people. He’s been walking into houses, stealing things, and threatening tenants, and nothing was done.”
“He walked into one of the units a few weeks ago and stole a scooter, and the police were called. That was a home invasion. Why wasn’t he kicked out then?”
The complex had become a hotbed for anti-social behaviour, with concerns raised about the mix of vulnerable residents, gang affiliates, and people battling addiction.
“I’ve lived here for years, but in the last nine months, it’s gone downhill. I’ve asked for a transfer, but I’m not allowed to move.”
The resident fears gang-related retaliation and was frustrated by the “lack of support” from authorities.
“I can’t get into my house because it’s a crime scene.”
“I’ve had no contact from police, no victim support, nothing. I have nowhere to live. I asked for emergency accommodation, and they told me to go to the mission. Why should I have to do that? I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“They wouldn’t even let me get my car off the property. I have nowhere to go, no clothes, nothing. And they’re treating me like the criminal.”
“All I asked for was some money to buy some clothes because I’ve been wearing the same ones since Sunday. But they don’t care.”
The resident believes authorities ignored red flags about the deceased’s behaviour, pointing to a recent incident.
“The police were called when he took a scooter. That was a home invasion. Why wasn’t he kicked out then?”
“The whole complex has been living in fear. We’ve been telling them for months this guy was dangerous, but nobody did anything.”
Police remain in the area as the homicide investigation continues.
Detective Senior Sergeant Damon Wells said officers are working to determine what happened.
“Our thoughts are with the family of the deceased. We know this will be a difficult time for them, and we’re committed to finding answers,” he said.
Police have urged anyone with information or who witnessed suspicious activity on Innes Road between 8pm and 9:15pm on Sunday, 9 March, to come forward. Information can be reported via 105, referencing file number 250310/9989.
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