Sarah McMillan/cvnznews.com
A 49‑year‑old man has been charged with 14 offences after a violent early‑morning rampage through Auckland’s Epsom that left three schoolboys injured, a jogger seriously assaulted, and a woman’s dog killed.
Police say the chaos began at 7.05am Wednesday, when a female jogger was violently attacked at the intersection of Manukau Rd and Ranfurly Rd in what appears to have been a random assault. A passer‑by stopped to help — only for the alleged offender to steal the Good Samaritan’s vehicle and flee.
What followed was a rolling chain of collisions, attacks, and panic.
Driving the stolen car, the man allegedly struck several vehicles before ploughing into five Auckland Grammar School cyclists riding along Manukau Rd. Three boys were rushed to Auckland City Hospital in critical, serious, and moderate conditions.
“These will be life‑altering events,” District Commander Sundip Patel said. The boys were part of a cycling club “doing something they enjoyed” when the offender veered into them from behind.
Auckland Grammar said it was “devastated” and has activated counselling and support services for students, families, and staff.
After crashing the vehicle, police say the man approached a woman walking her dogs and violently attacked one of the animals. Officers tasered the offender and pulled him off the dog, but the animal could not be saved. The woman’s second dog was unharmed.
Witnesses reported the man was not wearing pants and appeared to be screaming and moving erratically.
Tasman service station worker Manthan Patel said the man arrived in a “totally damaged car,” crashing into a vehicle at the pumps before attempting to steal another car.
“He was very aggressive… everybody here was scared,” Patel said. He called 111 as the man moved around the forecourt in a frenzy.
By mid‑morning, Manukau Rd was littered with mangled bicycles, damaged vehicles, and scattered clothing as investigators worked to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Charges Laid
Police confirmed the following charges will be laid:
- 2× wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
- 2× injuring with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
- 2× assault with a weapon
- 2× failing to stop and ascertain injury
- Wilful ill treatment of an animal
- 2× dangerous driving
- Unlawful taking of a motor vehicle
- Attempted unlawful taking
- Aggravated assault or resisting
The man remains under police guard at Auckland City Hospital and is expected to appear in court Thursday.
Epsom MP David Seymour, an Auckland Grammar graduate, said it was “a difficult time for the Grammar community,” adding that the cycling and school communities would rally around the injured boys.
Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.
All roads have now reopened.
Events like this shake a community because they violate the basic expectation of safety — that children can bike to school, that joggers can run at dawn, that a dog on a lead is safe.
Scripture speaks directly to moments when violence erupts without warning:
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.” — Psalm 9:9
In Epsom today, trouble arrived suddenly. But communities rally, truth is established, and justice proceeds. The refuge comes through people — neighbours, witnesses, first responders, teachers, and families — who step forward when chaos breaks loose.
