Police officers recovering after shooting

The three officers injured in a firearms incident in west Auckland, which resulted in the death of man, are recovering after spending the night in hospital.

One of the officers has been discharged from Auckland Hospital, one was expected to be released yesterday and a third who underwent surgery remains in a stable condition. A police spokeswoman said the third was in good spirits post surgery, ‘‘considering what has happened’’.

A post-mortem examination and formal identification of the assailant was expected to take place yesterday. On Monday morning he was shot dead in Glen Eden, West Auckland, after opening fire on police officers.

The incident begun with reports of a large house fire and an ‘explosion’ or gunfire, before unfolding into a dozens-strong police stand-off with a man at a property on Danube Ln, a street coming off Maywood Cres in Glen Eden. Armed police had tried to negotiate with the man before he became ‘‘agitated and aggressive’’ and fired at officers.

Police returned fire on the man, who died at the scene despite first aid efforts. Police are urging those who have any information on the incident to come forward, especially those who took video footage at the time.

Waitematā District Commander Naila Hassan said police were aware a number of people were filming the events as they unfolded. ‘‘We are really keen for anyone who has any footage to please upload this onto a portal set up specifically for this investigation,’’ she said.

Anyone with information is advised to upload their video online or contact police via 105, quoting file number 211129/7514.

On Monday afternoon, Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said the police team offered their deepest condolences to the family of the man who was shot.

The man’s death was a ‘‘tragedy for everyone’’, he said.

Accounts from local residents in the area detail the moment they were made aware of the incident, with most beginning with hearing ‘‘he’s got a gun’’ from neighbours.

Some neighbours had been bustling their children into the car for the school commute while others were preparing breakfast when the situation unfolded.

A married couple on Maywood Cres came dangerously close to the action when husband, Jason, who didn’t want his last name used, narrowly avoided gunfire while investigating the situation – just a few steps ahead of wife Sherylee.