A 17-year-old arrested for murdering security officer Ramandeep Singh in Auckland had been evading arrest after viciously attacking another person earlier this year, police say.
The teenager, whose identity the court has ordered not to reveal, was charged for an additional offense when he was produced in the court on December 23 in relation with Ramandeep’s killing.
Apart from being named in the murder of the 25-year-old Kiwi-Indian, he was also charged with wounding with intention to cause grievous bodily harm in relation to an attack in July 2023.
A group of men battered the 25-year-old to death when he told them off for indulging in prohibited activities at the park, say police. So far, two people have been arrested.
The teenager was remanded to a youth justice facility, and is due to appear at the High Court in Auckland February next year.
According to Newshub, his family and friends who were present at the court yelled out, ‘Love you son, see you soon.”
Ramandeep belonged to Kotli Shahpur village in the northern Indian state of Punjab. He came to New Zealand in 2018 to pursue higher education.
Armourguard officials say they are providing financial help to repatriate his body to India for last rites. The money collected through the fundraiser will be sent to Ramandeep’s family in their time of need.
Back home, Ramandeep’s father Dhana Singh still can’t believe he was murdered in a country he would often describe as “safe”.
“He [Ramandeep] never had a fight with anyone in his life. He used to tell his mother how safe New Zealand is, and the police in New Zealand are so efficient and prompt,” Dhana was quoted as saying by news website Stuff.
“I can’t believe he is killed in a country he always thought was so safe.”
Ramadeep Singh’s mother was inconsolable as she tried to make sense of the tragedy. “He would tell me not to worry about him…and that he is doing fine,” she said.
His mother recalled her last conversation with her only son. “I used to talk to him every day. He used to tell me don’t worry about me, I am fine. It was only on Saturday that I didn’t speak to him,” she told journalists.