Capture of Graeme Burton - Outline of Events
Monday, 8 January 2007, 8:53 am
Press Release: New Zealand Police
NZ Police News: Capture of Graeme Burton - Outline of Events
The following is an outline of events that occurred on the firebreak
along the summit of the eastern hills of Lower Hutt on Saturday 6
January 2007.
Image: Graeme Burton - Late yesterday afternoon, two men in their 30's
were mountain biking along the fire break when they came across a man
leaning over a quad bike. As they rode past him they saw a firearm.
About 10 metres past the quad bike they saw a man wearing motorcross
clothing lying on his back who was not moving. They then heard a blast
and one mountain biker received a serious gunshot wound to his elbow.
The other mountain biker received superficial gunshot injuries.
Shortly after this they fell from their mountain bikes and ran off
north along the firebreak towards Summit Road. They subsequently
called for an ambulance.
A short time later, a father and daughter were also mountain biking
along the firebreak when they came across the quad bike and the person
lying on the ground just past it. In the process of calling for
assistance on a cellphone, the father was punched in the face, his
cellphone was ripped from his hand and thrown into bushes by a male.
This male then threatened the father with a knife telling him to get
the quad bike started and that he had a gun. The gun was then
discharged and the daughter received shotgun pellets into her neck and
wrist. They ran south from the scene.
The offender was last seen mountain biking north towards Summit Road.
As the two first victims saw the man approaching them they dived off
the firebreak into dense gorse.
Police were advised by ambulance staff about the shooting and that the
two mountain bikers were heading towards Summit Road. Police arrived
in Summit Road carrying glock pistols. Once out of the police car they
were confronted by Burton who presented a shotgun at them. They
retreated a short distance seeking cover. After reassessing their
options, due to their concerns for the safety of others they
approached Burton and called upon him to surrender. Police fired three
shots, one of which hit Burton in the leg. He was then taken into
custody and a loaded pistol was also located in his possession.
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Police then searched the firebreak locating the two male mountain
bikers, and later, the father and daughter. Police then located the
quad bike and the deceased man.
Saturday night Police issued a statement (see below) requesting people
to contact them if they held concerns for the safety of friends or
family who may have been in the area. Police have not had any further
reports from members of the public about missing friends or relatives.
Police extend their sympathies and offer their condolences to the
deceased person's family. His details will be released once he has
been formally identified.
The mountain biker with serious elbow injures was operated on last
night and is still in hospital. These injures are not life
threatening.
The two other mountain bikers who received gunshot injures, along with
the father who was assaulted were all treated in hospital yesterday
and have been discharged.
Graeme Burton in Police Custody
Graeme Burton is now in Police custody. He was located in bush near
Lower Hutt after a victim of an assault alerted Police to his
whereabouts.
Police had already issued three search warrants in the Lower Hutt area
as intelligence led them closer to Burton. This enabled Police to act
quickly when notified of his location. When located, Burton approached
officers and presented a firearm. The officers shot Burton once in the
leg, enabling his capture. The Police Complaints Authority is now
working with the investigation team to investigate the events that
took place leading up to the shooting of Mr Burton.
As a result of arriving in the area, Police located three people with
gun related injuries, one of whom is unfortunately deceased. New
Zealand Police extends its deepest sympathy to those who were involved
in yesterday's shootings and victim support is in place.
New Zealand Police issued a statement last night (6 January)
requesting people to contact them if friends or family had not
returned from the eastern hills above Lower Hutt. New Zealand Police
is pleased to report that at this stage it seems no other people are
missing or injured.
Police investigations into the events that took place are continuing
and anyone with further information should contact the Lower Hutt
Police Station on 560 2600.
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I am working on creating wildlife habitat that is off-limits to
humans ("pure habitat"😉. Want to help? (I spent the previous 8
years fighting auto dependence and road construction.)
Please don't put a cell phone next to any part of your body that you are fond of!