A young man who was meant to be celebrating his 21st birthday has been identified as one of the victims in the 100-person brawl in Gisborne that ended with two men dead and three taken to hospital with critical stab wounds.
Friends and family members of Chrysler Stevens-Mark have paid tribute to the 21-year-old online who was killed in the gathering that got out of hand on Lytton Rd on Saturday night.
In a Facebook post, a family member said: “It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our Boy, our Little Cuzzy, our Little brother ... who was tragically taken from us in what was supposed to be his special night!”
“My aunty, my uncs and our little cousins we love yous so much, we will be here every step!
“To our Stevens whaanau we are thinking of you all at this dark time so many things to say but no words at the same time.”
This afternoon, Detective Inspector Dave de Lange provided an update on the investigation.
He said more than 40 witnesses had been identified, but he urged other attendees to come forward to police.
"We are also aware there are videos and photos of the incident,” de Lange said
A scene examination is expected to be completed today.
A 29-year-old man appeared in the Gisborne District Court today, where he has been remanded in custody. De Lange said the hearing for the 29-year-old in custody would be held in April.
De Lange confirmed the man arrested was an uninvited guest at the party, with gang connections. He said there was a likelihood of other people being charged, but the investigation was in its early stages.
The second victim has been named as Kane Taare Gray.
In a Facebook post shared online, a family member said “on behalf of the Gray an Taare whanau we would like to inform our whanau of the tragic passing of our son, brother, uncle, nephew, grandson an loving father Kane Taare Gray”.
A resident who lived nearby, who spoke to NZME on the condition of anonymity, said she heard screaming about 11.30pm and stepped outside to see what was going on.
“I just heard all the screaming. Women screaming. I came out and saw everybody on the road and they were just all in one pack. It was hard to identify who was who in the dark.”
She wasn’t sure about numbers of people involved, but said it was a lot of people.
Gisborne Councillor Colin Alder told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking Breakfast he had it on reasonably good authority that gangs were involved, but “they are not at war, as such”.
“It was an unfortunate event at a party where alcohol and possible drugs were involved... who takes a knife to a party?”
Police Minister Mark Mitchell is urging people in the Gisborne community not to consider retaliation and a local councillor said “there is no future in utu [to pay back]”.
Inspector Darren Paki said police received a number of calls about a “mass disorder” occurring at an address in Gisborne at 11.30pm on Saturday.
A large fight had broken out on to the street and additional staff as well as the Armed Offenders Squad were called in for back-up.
“We understand the fight had broken out after two uninvited guests [who] arrived at a whānau gathering,” Paki said.
Two victims were located upon police arrival and police staff attempted to provide emergency medical assistance, but both men were later confirmed deceased, Paki said.
Three others are currently in hospital with injuries believed to be caused by a stabbing.
“Police from around the district and surrounding areas have been called to boost our staffing numbers for reassurance,” Paki said.
