Man dies outside store after two stabbings on Auckland bus

Police have identified the man who allegedly killed a passenger in an unprovoked bus attack, before seriously injuring another in Auckland.

Two separate investigations were launched after Adrian Pani, 36, allegedly stabbed two people on a bus travelling from Glenn Innes towards Ōrakei in East Auckland on Monday night.

"We believe we have identified the man responsible," Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

"Do not approach this man," he said.

Baldwin said police had searched a home but had been unable to find Pani there, and are now asking for public help in the hunt.

He remains at large.

Hato Hone St John ambulance said they were called to an incident on Fenchurch Street in Glen Innes around 8pm on Monday.

An Auckland dairy worker, who saw a man with a stab wound dying outside his shop, said he and several people tried to help the man in his last moments.

He said when he went outside the shop he saw that the injured man was a local customer he recognised, that he looked like he'd been stabbed in the chest and was bleeding a lot.

The worker said he went to the liquor shop next door to grab some t-shirts to help stop the bleeding.

There was also a nurse who happened to be passing by and was helping as well, he said.

The worker said the man was moaning and appeared delirious.

He said he didn't hear the man say anything, but got the impression that he would've been stabbed on the bus he'd come off.

Police have confirmed the victim - a man aged 59 - had boarded the number 76 bus at 7.56pm and travelled a short distance before moving to get off the bus at 7.58pm.

"The only other passenger on board initiated an attack on the victim, before he could exit the bus near Fenchurch St in Glen Innes," Baldwin said.

Baldwin said the bus driver was unaware of the significance of the event in-between the assaults.

By the time the ambulance arrived, the man was still conscious, but died shortly after, the witness recalled.

The worker said even though he didn't know the name of the man, he knew him as a regular customer who'd been living in the area for a long time with his children.

He said he's a "real nice and humble guy" and was "soft as a teddy bear".

Police confirmed the man was taken to hospital but died from his injuries.

A woman who lives nearby says she heard a commotion and came outside to see paramedics trying to revive a man.

The woman, who asked to not be named, said she heard cries of help.

"It really broke my heart. I didn't know what to think/ The first thing I could think of was my children, it being right outside our home. It actually makes me feel like I'm a little bit unsafe."

Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson said the bus the attack occurred on is the same route she travels to work each day.

"It does give us, you know, concern from a community perspective. It's a tragic incident, obviously, and it's very concerning for the community. But I think we have to trust our police to update and catch the offender," she said.

Second assault near Coates Ave and Kepa Rd

Following the first assault the number 76 bus continued on its route where the second victim boarded the bus around 8.09pm.

The man, aged 51, sat at the back of the bus where the offender moved toward him, Baldwin said.

"The second unprovoked assault began when the offender approached the victim at the rear of the bus.

"The offender initiated a fight and quickly produced a knife and assaulted the victim.

"After a short confrontation the second victim managed to flee from the bus, along with another passenger and the bus driver near the bus stop at Coates Avenue and Kepa Road."

The offender eventually got off the bus and was last seen fleeing on foot.

Detective Inspector Baldwin said the victim was taken to Auckland City Hospital with serious injuries, where he is in a stable condition and undergoing surgery on his hand today.

The police said the two assaults were reported to them by ambulance around 8pm on Monday.

Baldwin said the first victim suffered a fatal knife wound on board a bus.

"The only other passenger aboard initiated an attack on the victim, before he could exit the bus near Fenchurch Street in Glen Innes," he said

He said the victim boarded the bus at 7.56pm and got off the bus at 7.58pm, fleeing from the attack.

Police appeal for information to locate offender

Police said they have reviewed the CCTV footage from inside the bus and are following positive lines of enquiry to locate the offender.

"Our investigation is still in its infancy, but we are committed to understanding the motive and exactly why such violence took place aboard a bus last night," said Inspector Baldwin.

He said they've spoken with a number of people but are asking anyone with additional information to come forward.

People can report information through calling 105, using the reference number 251208/7471 or Operation Gyle.

Auckland Transport's Stacey van der Putten said the agency was assisting police with.

"Our buses all have CCTV cameras on-board, and we are working closely with police in its investigation."

"We are also working with our bus operator to provide support to the bus driver."

"We are very saddened to hear about these incidents, and our thoughts are with the victims, their families and our bus operator staff who was present."

In October last year, a woman was fatally stabbed on a bus in the Auckland suburb Onehunga.

"This has been an emerging issue over recent years so we have put a lot into it, including safety protocols, de-escalation training. We review every single incident that happens on our network and see what else needs to change."

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