'Incredibly violent' Epsom events were random, police say

Author: Hannah Filmer,
Publish Date: Wed, 5 Aug 2026, 12:04pm

Five people have been injured – one critically – in a series of violent events in Auckland this morning.

Police have confirmed one person is now in custody after a “serious incident” unfolded in Epsom just after 7am.

Auckland City District Commander Superintendent Sunny Patel will speak to media about the incident at 1pm. The media briefing will be livestreamed in this article.

One person suffered critical injuries while another was left in a serious condition, one person suffered moderate injuries and two others were treated at the scene.

Woman allegedly attacked at intersection

Police said the incident began at around 7.05am when officers were initially called to reports of a serious assault at the intersection of Ranfurly Rd and Manukau Rd.

Acting Detective Inspector Craig Bolton, of the Auckland City CIB, said a man approached a female victim and without warning allegedly assaulted her, causing bruising to her face, head and upper body.

“A member of the public stopped to assist the victim, before this offender has stolen the good Samaritan’s vehicle,” he said.

An eyewitness told the Herald they saw a fight between a man and a woman on Manukau Rd near the intersection with Mount St John Ave, just before 7am.

He said the pair fought in the middle of the road before the man punched the woman, knocking her to the ground. He then stole her keys, sat on a nearby fence and cried.

The man proceeded to jump into an old Rav 4-type car and swerved down the road.

Half-naked man seen 'smashing vehicle', group of cyclists hit by car in Epsom

Man crashes into cyclists

Police say cyclists riding along Manukau Rd were the next group to be caught up in the rush-hour violence.

“The offender then fled in the stolen vehicle, hitting several vehicles before striking three cyclists who were riding on Manukau Road,” Bolton said.

The three cyclists were taken to Auckland City Hospital with critical, serious and moderate injuries.

A witness at the scene said one of the cyclists was “sent flying over the top of the car” before landing head-first on the pavement.

“I jumped out of my car where the person was unresponsive but the group of cyclists were crowded around saying they could handle this.”

Attempted carjack at petrol station

The man allegedly rammed the stolen Rav 4 into the back of a white Land Cruiser at the Tasman Epsom petrol station.

Tasman Epsom petrol station worker Manthan Patel described the man as “aggressive and not of the right mind”, but said no customers were hurt.

Patel told the Herald people had started arriving for gas and coffee just before 7am when he heard a sound from afar.

“One damaged car came on to our site, it was already damaged ... he came and tried to steal another car.

“The car’s owner and keys weren’t inside so he couldn’t start the car and then he tried another car but again the keys weren’t inside.”

Patel said the man walked towards the road while he called police.

Woman walking dogs targeted

After crashing the vehicle, the offender exited and allegedly approached another member of the public, who was walking her dogs at the time.

“The offender has subjected one of the dogs to a violent assault and sadly, the dog has died at the scene,” Bolton said.

“This has all taken place in full view of the public going about their morning commute.”

Injured cyclists are seen to by paramedics and comforted by other bystanders at the scene of a major incident in the Auckland suburb of Epsom this morning.

49yo man arrested

Responding police units found the man on Manukau Rd and he was arrested.

Charges are being confirmed for the 49-year-old man.

“This was an incredibly violent event which has unfolded very quickly. We acknowledge it has impacted many innocent people who were just going about their mornings,” Bolton said.

”Police are aware many people witnessed this incident, and we are appealing to the public for information and dashcam footage to come forward.”