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Police were justified in shooting a Tauranga man who held his two daughters hostage for 15 hours, says the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
On November 24, 2019, the man’s partner called police at the home of Bellevue, who had managed to escape.
There, police found Ethan Kerapa, also known as Orynn, barricading himself in an upstairs bedroom closet and pointing a knife at one of his sons.
He slipped the knife at the police and they were unable to negotiate with him and made the decision to withdraw.
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Christel Yardley / Stuff
Oriana Crescent’s home in Tauranga, where Ethan Kerapa was shot dead by police (FILE).
The Armed Criminal Squad, the Special Tactics Group and police negotiators attended and the negotiators were unable to persuade him to leave, or allow his daughters, ages six and four, to leave.
It was an extremely hot day in Tauranga, and in the early afternoon, the police received medical advice on the life-threatening effects of the heat on the children, who were in an unventilated upstairs room.
As far as police knew, the children had not had food or water since the incident began, despite the fact that bottles of water had been left outside the bedroom door.
Kerapa twice asked the police to bring food and drink to the bedroom using a rope through the window, but these requests were rejected.
Concern for the children’s health in the heat, combined with Kerapa’s history of violence and mental health problems, led the team to order a forced entry into the bedroom through the upstairs window.
Christel Yardley / Stuff
Police on the scene the day of the shooting.
When the officers entered the bedroom, they saw Kerapa with his arm wrapped tightly around one of the children, holding a large knife to his chest.
An officer tried to Taser him, but it had no effect.
Another officer, fearing that Kerapa was about to kill the boy, fired a single bullet from his pistol and killed him.
The IPCA found that command and control of the incident was generally well executed, although the appointment of a family liaison officer would have benefited both the police and the man’s family.
“There were many commendable aspects of this operation and it is clear to us that all officers on site were focused on the well-being of the children throughout the incident.
“However, it was the responsibility of the incident controller to go beyond negotiation tactics to a contingency plan to protect the well-being of the children until they were released or rescued.
“This included the full exploration of all options to meet the reasonable necessities of life, such as food and water.
“We accept that the immediate and serious threat of [the man] that he raised with his daughter when the agents entered the bedroom justified the decision to shoot him, “said Authority Judge Colin Doherty.
In a statement, police said they accepted the findings.
“This was an incredibly difficult situation for everyone involved and officers did everything they could to resolve this situation peacefully under extremely stressful circumstances,” said Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Andy McGregor.
Christel Yardley / Stuff
The confrontation lasted 15 hours.
“This result is an absolute tragedy and the last thing an officer wants.
“At all times, the priority of the police was to guarantee the safety of the two children who were at real risk of harm.
“I am sure that all the decisions that were made along the way were made to protect them.
“Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of the deceased, the children involved and the police personnel who faced a very difficult situation,” he said.
