Early New Year’s Day, a driver deliberately struck two patrolling officers, fatally injuring one and critically wounding the other, according to the nation’s police chief.
This attack is jarring, as on-duty police killings are infrequent in New Zealand. Police confirmed Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming was the first female officer in the country’s history to be killed in the line of duty by a criminal act.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers stated that during a routine parking lot patrol, the vehicle hit the officers at high speed before ramming a police car. Fleming succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital hours later. This incident occurred in Nelson.
A 32-year-old suspect was apprehended shortly after the 2 a.m. incident and faces eight charges, including murder, attempted murder, using a vehicle as a weapon, and driving while disqualified.
Chambers reported the other officer is seriously injured but expected to recover fully. A third officer suffered a concussion, and two bystanders were also hurt, one while assisting the injured officers.
Chambers denounced the act as senseless, perpetrated by someone seemingly intent on causing harm, though he did not offer a motive. He noted there was no prior indication of the impending attack.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell called it a cowardly attack, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described it as devastating for the police and the nation.
The attack occurred downtown Nelson, near the city’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, which had ended two hours prior.
The last on-duty police killing in New Zealand before this incident was in 2020, when an officer was shot by a fleeing driver. Police records indicate 33 other officers have died from criminal acts while on duty since 1890.
Fleming served 38 years as an officer and was a long-time netball coach at a local girls’ high school. Chambers described her as a mother, wife, and highly respected community member.
The accused is scheduled for a court appearance on Friday. A murder conviction in New Zealand mandates a life sentence, with the judge determining the minimum non-parole period, at least 10 years.