A post mortem has confirmed that the man shot by police in Hawke's Bay on Monday morning died of a gunshot wound.
The post mortem on Lachan Kelly-Tumarae was held today as police continued their investigation into his death.
Detective Superintendent Andy Lovelock says police were unable to elaborate on Mr Kelly-Tumarae's injuries as that information was part of the investigative process.
"We are still working our way through the investigation and any details relating to how he died are part of that process.
“There are several more people we have to interview and that will also help provide a clearer picture of the incident and events leading up to it," says Mr Lovelock.
A forensic examination of the scene should be completed some time tomorrow.
Mr Kelly-Tumarae, 19, was shot by police in Fernhill, 15km from Napier, about 1.30am and died in hospital about 3am.
Police said preliminary investigations suggested Mr Kelly-Tumarae fired a shotgun at police before being shot himself.
Mr Kelly-Tumarae, an only child, left Christchurch for Hawke's Bay two weeks ago. He had been living in the quake-devastated city with his mother since last June, when he completed an eight-week limited volunteer course with the army at Trentham.
"After march out he wanted to go down to Christchurch to stay with his mum and with all the tragic things that have been happening down there lately, I think the aftershocks and all that were a bit too much," Mr Kelly-Tumarae's uncle, James Tumarae, told NZPA.
His mother also travelled to Hastings seeking a brief respite from the daily aftershocks but had returned to Christchurch. Now she was on her way back to Hawke's Bay to be near family following her son's death.
The family was devastated and "just blown away", Mr Tumarae said.
"He was a real laidback guy."
He said his nephew had had gang affiliations in Hawke's Bay but the army course "was a good move for him" and he was on track to turn his life around.
The family had "absolutely no idea" what Mr Kelly-Tumarae was doing last night, he said.
"There's still a lot I don't know, I didn't realise that he pointed a firearm. It's just something that's totally out of his character."
Police Association president Greg O'Connor yesterday backed the officer who shot Mr Kelly-Tumarae.
"There'll be all sorts of speculation about what happened, the best thing to do, including speculation on what other alternatives (were available), is to wait for the results of the inquiries," he told NZPA.
"I'm confident, absolutely confident, that a properly conducted inquiry will satisfy anyone who takes an objective look at it, that the actions will be justified."
The media and everyone involved should wait for the results of an Independent Police Conduct Authority inquiry and a homicide investigation headed by a senior officer from outside the district, he said.
Mr O'Connor would not comment on why a taser was not used.
Police first spotted Mr Kelly-Tumarae acting suspiciously near a vehicle parked on Wordsworth Crescent in suburban Maraenui.
He pointed a shotgun when approached and police retreated.
He then drove to Fernhill on the outskirts of Hastings in a relative's Nissan Primera station wagon and was followed at a distance by several police cars with flashing lights.
Mr Kelly-Tumarae stopped abruptly and got out of his car on Taihape Rd, near the intersection with Korokipo Rd, where he again pointed the shotgun at police before being shot.
Officers immediately attempted first aid but Mr Kelly-Tumarae died at Hawke's Bay Regional Hospital.
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