May 06, 2015
Family seeks privacy after police shooting
The family of Thames man Vaughan Te Moananui have asked the media not to attend his funeral tomorrow.
Mr Te Moananui was shot by police on Saturday after an armed standoff.
The Waikato Times reported he performed a haka using a shotgun as a taiaha in front of police, shortly before he was shot.
He had previously been a long term patient at Waikato’s mental health unit, the Henry Bennett Centre, and continued to receive was outpatient treatment from the Thames community mental health team.
In a statement the family said they would like to thank everyone, including the Police, for their support during this difficult and emotional time.
They asked to be allowed to grieve for Vaughan in private.
They would not make further comment until the various investigations into his death have run their course.
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