
Former workmates of Queen St shooting victim Sione Tuuholoaki are shocked and saddened by the death of the 鈥渁lways polite, approachable and hardworking鈥 26-year-old.
Tuuholoaki was shot last Thursday, along with another man, and died in hospital the next day. The alleged shooter was on a Lime scooter before and after the incident.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton said police were hunting for 鈥渄angerous鈥 man Dariush Talanga, 24, in relation to the shooting.
Tuuholoaki 鈥渨as taken off life support and sadly succumbed to his injuries with family beside him鈥, Bolton said.
Sione Tuuholoaki has been named as the victim of a shooting on Queen St, Central Auckland. Photo / Supplied
Tuuholoaki used to work in a distribution centre for The Warehouse Group, who have extended their thoughts to his friends and family.
鈥淥ur team members remember him as a really nice person who was always polite, approachable and hardworking,鈥 chief people officer Richard Parker told the聽Herald.
鈥淲e are offering our team members support as they learn of his passing.鈥
Parker said they were shocked and saddened by Tuuholoaki鈥檚 death.
- Queen St shooting victim named as Auckland man Sione Tuuholoaki
- Police hunt 'dangerous' man in relation to Queen St homicide
Electric scooter company Lime is actively assisting police in their search for the offender Dariush Talagi (inset). Photo / Hayden Woodward
Friends described Tuuholoaki as 鈥渁n old soul trapped in a young body鈥 and an 鈥渁ngel鈥 who impacted many.
罢丑别听贬别谤补濒诲听understands he moved to New Zealand from Australia last year.
Senior Sergeant Bolton said police鈥檚 thoughts were with Tuuholoaki鈥檚 family as they grieve.
鈥淭his is a very difficult time for them, and we are ensuring they have support in place,鈥 he said.
Electric scooters abandoned on lower Queen St following a shooting incident at 11.30pm on August 3. Photo / Hayden Woodward
鈥淥ur investigation team are continuing to work hard to bring them answers and to ensure the person responsible is held to account.鈥
Bolton said the man police were hunting, Talagi, was 鈥渃onsidered dangerous鈥 but there was no risk to the public.
Talangi has distinctive facial tattoos, Bolton said.
鈥淥ur message to Dariush would be to hand himself in, or for anyone who sees him to call us immediately.鈥
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the聽贬别谤补濒诲听as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.
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