Report from RNZ
Name suppression for the man accused of killing Nelson police officer Lyn Fleming has been extended.

The 32-year-old faces eight charges, including murder, attempted murder and using a vehicle as a weapon.

His interim name suppression order was due to expire at midday today.

However, his lawyer has filed for an extension on the grounds that online comments and media reports could risk a fair trial.

Justice Andru Isac agreed that name suppression could continue until the accused’s next court appearance in February, but said that the position could change.

The accused man was remanded in custody when he appeared in Nelson District Court last Friday.

Fleming was one of two officers struck by a vehicle in Nelson’s Buxton Square about 2am on 1 January. She later died from her injuries.

Her funeral with full police honours will be held next Thursday.

Photo from NZ Police

Report from RNZ – 3 January
The man accused of killing a police officer was remanded in custody after appearing in the Nelson District Court today. Nearly every seat in the public gallery was taken this morning as the 32-year-old man walked into the court room, hunched over.

Judge Richard Russell granted a temporary interim name suppression for one week to allow the accused to advise his family of the charges.

The 32-year-old is facing eight charges – including murder, attempted murder, assault using a vehicle as a weapon, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified. He showed no emotion as Judge Russell reminded him of the seriousness of the charges. No bail application was made, and he was remanded without plea. He is to appear at the High Court in Nelson on 14 February.

Judge Russell made an order on Friday prohibiting all media – including social media – from publishing a video of the incident.

Statement from Police Commissioner Richard Chambers – January 2
Nelson Police will charge a 32-year-old man with a total of eight charges including murder and attempted murder following the tragic and senseless events in Nelson yesterday. He is also charged with:

• Two charges of assault using a vehicle as a weapon.
• Two charges of Wounding with Intent (reckless disregard) in relation to the other officer who was injured and a member of the public.
• Dangerous Driving.
• Driving while Disqualified.

As the investigation progresses we expect that further charges will follow.

The man will appear in Nelson District Court tomorrow.

For New Zealand, Lyn is tragically the first policewoman to be killed in the line of duty and the first police officer in Nelson. I know we are all struggling to understand why this has happened.

I thank the investigation team who have worked around the clock to get us to this point. They continue to speak with a number of witnesses today and have enquiries well underway.

Lyn’s family have asked for privacy at this time while they are grieving. They wish to acknowledge Nelson Hospital, the members of the public who came to the assistance of the injured officers, and all of those injured in this incident.

News from NZ Police
An investigation is ongoing into the death of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming and critical injuries to Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay in Nelson yesterday. As part of the investigation we are appealing for assistance in providing footage of yesterday’s tragic event.

The investigation team have set up a dedicated portal for receiving photos and videos and would appreciate the public’s assistance with this. Anyone with footage, including from cell phones can upload it here: https://sabine.nc3.govt.nz/

Police would like to hear from anyone who was in the area who witnessed the incident or any events leading up to it. We will be visiting businesses in the area canvassing for CCTV footage. If any businesses think they may have relevant CCTV then we ask that they please get in touch with Nelson Police

Anyone with information can contact Police online – https://www.police.govt.nz/use-105 or via 105 quoting file number 250101/1197.

Report from RNZ – January 1
A police officer has died from her injuries after being hit by a car in Nelson early this morning.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Minister Mark Mitchell have spoken to media after multiple people were injured at an event in Buxton Square early this morning.

Chambers confirmed that Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming had died from her injuries, while Adam Ramsey is in hospital.

The two officers were on foot patrolling the square about 2am, Chambers said.

“A vehicle drove at them at speed and collided with them. The injuries that they sustained were critical. The vehicle then turned and drove at a police car, ramming it.

“Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming is a daughter and a mother and a wife. She has done 38 years of service to the communities. She was a beautiful soul and an outstanding police officer.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute to Fleming, saying he was devastated. “Police across New Zealand do an incredible job keeping us safe and it’s heart-wrenching for an officer to lose her life carrying out that duty. This is a devastating day for police and for New Zealand. Lyn will never be forgotten.”

Fleming was long involved in local sport and coached netball at Nelson College for Girls. The team paid tribute to “the bedrock of our netball programme for over a decade” on Facebook. “Words cannot describe her imapct on our athletes, coaches and staff at Nelson College for Girls. We love you.”

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack called the death “devastating news”.

“Our police work hard to keep people safe and they deserve to be safe at work. My thoughts and love are with Lyn’s family, friends and colleagues as they mourn her loss. Our community does not stand for this level of violence.”

Ramsey is undergoing surgery, but is expected to recover. A third police officer received a concussion in the incident.

The 32-year-old suspect was tasered by police staff and taken into custody at the scene. He is to appear in Nelson District Court this Friday and will be charged with serious criminal offences.

Two members of the public were injured. One woman received a broken arm and a male who came to assist police was injured in his shoulder.

“At this point our priorities obviously are to provide support to Lyn’s family, Adam’s family and Adam,” said Chambers. “The strength of the police family is something that we are all very proud of and it’s times like these we all come together. A tragic day for New Zealand police, for New Zealand, where we have lost a police officer.”

Police are investigating any possible motive. “This was an unprovoked and senseless act,” Chambers said. “There was no indication that what was about to occur.”

Asked if police officers in New Zealand were safe, Chambers said he was proud of the work officers did and the challenges they faced. “We have lost staff over the years. We recover, but it hurts forever. We must be reminded that behind the uniform is a human being.”

Chambers said an investigation will look at if anything could have been done differently, but he said both officers were highly trained and capable. “They were faced with the senseless act of an individual who was determined to cause harm. I’m not sure if Lyn or Adam or anyone could have done anything differently.”

Mitchell said the news was “gut-wrenching”.

“They are outstanding leaders, they are highly respected,” he said of the victims. “They have been targeted in what I consider a very cowardly attack, and of course now we have lost Lyn, and that is going to cut very deep. For a minister of police, any minister of police, it’s your worst nightmare when you lose a front-line police officer.”

Statement from Police Commissioner Richard Chambers
It’s with a heavy heart that I announced that a Police officer has been killed following an incident in Nelson in the early hours of this morning. At just after 2am this morning, two police officers were on a routine foot patrol in Buxton Square carpark in Nelson when completely unprovoked, a vehicle drove towards them, at speed, hitting both of them. Both officers were transported to Nelson Hospital in a critical condition, and it is here that one of the officers has sadly succumbed to her injuries sustained in the incident.

She was Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming. A widely respected police officer with 38 years front line service. She was also a loved and cherished, daughter, mother, wife and valued member of the wider Nelson community. Lyn was a beautiful soul and her death will be felt across the Nelson community and our Police family.

Her injured colleague, Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay, also a very senior and experienced officer with 16 years’ service. He remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Two members of the public were also injured in this incident. Both are reported to be stable. One other Police officer was assessed and discharged from hospital.

The driver of the vehicle was tasered and then arrested at the scene. The 32-year-old man is due to appear in Nelson District Court this Friday and will be charged with serious criminal offences.

Police officers immediately tried to perform first aid acting admirably in what was an incredibly dynamic and dangerous situation. Members of the public were present and attempted to assist our staff. I thank them for this.

Lyn and Adam, like so many of our officers were working on New Years Eve to keep people safe on a night intended for celebration. It fills me with great sadness that their efforts to do so has ended in a senseless act that has taken the life of one of our colleagues and seriously injured another. My absolute priority is to ensure our people and their families are supported as best they can be, during this difficult time.

A Police investigation is underway as we seek to understand the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident.

Lyn’s family has come into a new year with the worst possible scenario. We are wrapping support around our staff. I know that officers and police staff across the country will be feeling this loss, as Senior Sergeant Fleming was their colleague and a part of our police family.

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