In a tragic incident that has shocked New Zealand, a police officer was killed and another seriously injured after being intentionally struck by a vehicle in the early hours of New Year's Day. The attack occurred in Nelson, a city on New Zealand's South Island, as the two officers were conducting a routine foot patrol of a parking lot. The driver then proceeded to ram a police car before fleeing the scene.
This incident marks a rare instance of on-duty police killings in New Zealand. Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, the officer who lost her life, tragically became the first female officer in the country's history to be killed in the line of duty due to a criminal act. Fleming, a 38-year veteran of the force, was also a beloved netball coach at a local girls' high school and a respected member of the Nelson community.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers addressed the media, describing the attack as a "senseless act" by an individual seemingly "determined to cause harm." He confirmed that the officers were struck "at speed" and that there was no prior indication of the impending attack. Police Minister Mark Mitchell labeled the incident a "cowardly attack" targeting the officers. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed his condolences on social media, calling it a "devastating day" for the nation and its police force.
A 32-year-old man was apprehended shortly after the incident, which took place around 2 a.m. local time. He faces eight charges, including murder, attempted murder, assault with a vehicle as a weapon, and driving while disqualified. The injured officer is expected to recover fully. Two members of the public also sustained injuries, one while assisting the officers. The incident occurred downtown, near the location of the city's New Year's Eve festivities, which had concluded just two hours earlier. The last time a New Zealand police officer was killed on duty was in 2020, when an officer was fatally shot by a fleeing driver. According to police records, 33 officers have died due to criminal acts while on duty since 1890.
Forensic officers investigate the scene at Buxton Square where a police officer was killed after a driver ran her and a colleague down in Nelson, New Zealand.
