A 37-year-old man has been charged with murdering 8-year-old Zahquiel Taipeti in Hamilton, New Zealand.
The man was trespassed by police for “suspicious behavior” at a Hamilton motel and later transported to his home address.
Police have notified the Independent Police Conduct Authority of these events in the interests of transparency.
The man is now charged with murder, and it is not appropriate to comment further at this stage. Offices are continuing their inquiries in the Bader area after Zahquiel was killed on Sunday.
Man attacked Zahquiel and his father with a hammer as they slept in bed.
The man then murdered the child and seriously injured two others, including Zahquiel’s father, Mitikiro Woods, as they slept.
Zahquiel and his father had recently returned to Hamilton from two family tangi.
It has been alleged that the defendant and the third victim had a tussle over the suspected murder weapon after he was attacked.
A 37-year-old man appeared in Hamilton District Court but did not plead to murder charges, and was remanded to appear in Hamilton’s High Court on September 17.
Friends and relatives have posted tributes online in Zahquiel’s honor, with some saying “You didn’t deserve this Zah.
Fly home to the arms of your mum,” while others express love and support for his mother.
The family plans to bring Zahquiel back “home” to Whakatāne.
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