Police have named the man killed in an Auckland bus stabbing on Monday night.
A 36-year-old man accused of stabbing two people on the bus appeared in court earlier today, charged with murder and causing grievous bodily harm. A homicide investigation was launched after the separate stabbings on the vehicle travelling from Glen Innes towards Ōrakei.
Police confirmed the name of the man killed just before 5pm on Wednesday.
He was Sefo Leger, 59, of Wai o Taiki Bay.
“Our investigation team extend our deepest sympathies to Mr Leger’s whānau for their loss, especially at this time of the year,” Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin said.
“This senseless crime has impacted many across the community and our thoughts are with you.”
A police spokesperson said Leger’s family “asked police to relay a message to media on their behalf, in that they are asking for privacy while they grieve.”
Leger died in the stabbing attack and another passenger was seriously injured.
The 59-year-old was described by Fenchurch Superette owner Prathul Patel as a “nice, humble guy”.
“He’s a big unit, you know, but he’s like a teddy bear if you spoke to him.”
The second victim had surgery on a hand injury.
Police described the attacks as unprovoked and said the victims did not know their alleged attacker.
Accused murderer appears in court
At the Auckland District Court on Wednesday afternoon, Judge Stephen Bonnar granted the suspect interim name suppression while further assessments were carried out.
The accused was remanded in custody and would next appear in the Auckland High Court on January 28.
He was arrested in central Auckland yesterday afternoon, having allegedly fled the scene after the second attack.
One man died and a second man was seriously injured after they were attacked by the same person aboard a bus in east Auckland. (Source: 1News)
