Female truckie stood up to knife-wielding abductor
The mother of a woman who stood up for herself against an armed man is not surprised her daughter fought back.
The man allegedly abducted a truck driver and stabbed two people in Christchurch this morning before being shot twice by police.
A 27-year-old Christchurch man, born in Somalia, is currently under police guard at Christchurch Hospital.
Police say it may be some time before they can interview him, depending on his medical condition.
The man got into a food delivery truck being driven by Marteine Robin, who was allegedly forced to drive across the city.
Robin staunchly resisted the man, telling him to “get the f* out of my truck”, her mother Sharon Baughan told ONE News.
“He said ‘I’ve got a knife’, and she said ‘I dont care…and that’s Marteine’s attitude about everything,” Baughan said.
When Robin arrived at Halswell Road she realised she had been stabbed in the shoulder. She was taken to Christchurch Hospital and later discharged.
The Somalian man is then alleged to have got out of the truck and aggressively confronted other motorists and passers-by with a knife.
A man in his 50s driving a Christchurch City Council car got involved and suffered serious stab wounds.
He is reported to be in a serious but stable condition in Christchurch Hospital.
The knife-wielding man was then seen walking along the road carrying what have been described as two “chef’s knives”, before being confronted by a group of men, including one with a crowbar.
“The guy with the crowbar was just trying to get him (the man carrying the knives) to bugger off, settle down,” eyewitness Tom Kerhofs told ONE News.
Police initially received reports of a man in the grounds of Redwood School who confronted the caretaker and a teacher with a knife.
The caretaker and teacher locked themselves in a classroom as the man tried to gain entry.
Police cordoned off the school but the man ran away.
“Told to drop the knives”
Kerhofs said the alleged offender was trying to get into people’s cars and he saw several people calling the police.
“(When) the police arrived he got told to drop the knives but he didn’t,” he said.
“The officer got a gun but he still didn’t drop the knives, then two more officers arrived, one with a Taser and another with pepper spray.
“The guy Tasered him but it didn’t get through the clothing, I think, (because) it had no effect, they pepper sprayed him, he made a move, still with the knives in his hand and the policeman shot him.”
Police said the man rushed at officers with a knife and an officer armed with a Glock pistol fired two shots, hitting the man in the arm and shoulder.
He was treated at the scene by ambulance officers before being admitted to hospital.
Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff said the man is receiving treatment for injuries which are described as not life-threatening.
Investigations underway
Police have appealed to the public for information to help police form a clearer picture of this morning’s incident.
Assistant Commissioner Dave Cliff said police want to speak to any witnesses.
“The incident occurred at a busy intersection in peak time, and was seen by a number of people,” Cliff said.
“A number of witnesses have already come forward and provided valuable information – but we would like to hear from anyone who has seen what has occurred.”
Cliff said wide ranging investigations are now underway. The Independent Police Conduct Authority has been notified and will investigate the officers’ actions.
“Everything about what we understand the police officers have done tells us they acted correctly, but that is subject to an independent review,” Cliff said.
police have spoken to members of the man’s family in Christchurch.
No charges have yet been been laid against him.
Source: ONE News