Police name man sought over Sofitel shooting

3:22 pm on 23 April 2021

Police have named the man they are seeking after a shooting incident in a hotel lobby at Auckland's waterfront last week.

Hone Reihana

Hone Reihana Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

Police want help from the public to find Hone Reihana, 27, but say the patched Head Hunter should be considered dangerous and not be approached.

Sofitel person of interest.

Hone Reihana in a recently taken photo Photo: Supplied / NZ Police

Police said Reihana had connections across Auckland and anyone that saw him should call 111 immediately.

They warned that anybody assisting Reihana in evading police could be liable for prosecution.

Detective Inspector John Sutton said: "Since the incident occurred on 15th April, a dedicated team of detectives from across Tāmaki Makaurau have worked tirelessly to identify those responsible for the incident last Thursday morning, which we know involved individuals from the Head Hunters and Mongols organised crime groups".

He asked anyone with information to contact police on 09 477 5221 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

In the incident on 15 April shots were fired at the Sofitel hotel in Viaduct Harbour. The shooting was part of a gang conflict between he Mongols and the Headhunters, according to Minister of Police Poto Williams.

Armed police swarmed the upmarket hotel after shots were fired in the lobby about 9am. There were no reported injuries in the attack.

A guest who was staying at the hotel for two nights said he was sitting in the hotel restaurant when he heard two loud bangs.

"Well, I thought it was a contractor working outside ... and then all of a sudden we were evacuated. I didn't see anything. We went out the back and the police arrived."

An armed police officer at the Sofitel in Viaduct Basin, Auckland.

An armed police officer at the Sofitel in Viaduct Harbour, Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers

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