Kiwi father told of ex-wife’s new relationship days before daughters shot

Warning: This article contains disturbing content

Swedish social services told a Kiwi father his ex had begun a new relationship despite being warned he had threatened revenge if she met someone else.

Just days later, Maui Koopu allegedly shot his two daughters in an attack police are investigating as attempted murder.

Both survived, although one was initially reported to be in a critical condition and the other in a serious condition. Koopu was found dead at the scene.

Local newspaper Smålandsposten has now reported on the warnings received by Alvesta municipality and the failure to put protection in place for the family.

In March last year, police began looking into allegations that Koopu had abused his former wife, but that investigation closed after one month, Smålandsposten reported.

Two months before the June 13 attack, a “report of concern” was sent to Alvesta municipality.

The report said one of the two girls was afraid of her father and of what would happen when he learned her mother had started dating someone else.

Social services told the mother that Koopu had the right to see the report in full. Shortly afterwards, she applied for support and protection for her family.

Maui Koopu lived in Alvesta, Sweden before he and his wife, with whom he shared two daughters, separated.

According to Smålandsposten, she told social services Koopu had “talked about taking revenge” if she met someone new.

She asked that the relationship not be disclosed to him until protection had been arranged for the family.

Social services reportedly decided against taking emergency measures because Koopu “did not know about the new relationship yet”.

They decided to carry out safety planning before telling him.

But no protection plan was completed before Koopu, his former wife and caseworkers met at the social services office on the Monday before the attack.

Social workers one floor above reportedly heard a roar from the meeting room.

Afterwards, Koopu was advised to contact a family violence service. No other support for him was recorded, and there was still no plan for protection.

The next day, social services asked the mother to clarify or withdraw her application for support. The investigation was then closed.

The couple’s divorce was finalised on June 11, two days before the attack. Divorce papers confirmed they had been living apart for more than two years, meeting the criteria for a divorce judgment.

Koopu attended his daughters’ end-of-year school ceremony the following day and was left alone with them.

At 10.57am on June 13, emergency services were alerted to the attack in the small village of Lekaryd.

The review found the shortcomings within social services had led to domestic violence cases being inadequately handled.

It also concluded the problems were so extensive that similar incidents could happen again.

There have been no recent public updates on the girls’ conditions.

When approached by the Herald earlier this year, Swedish police could not provide further information while investigations continued.

How to get help:
If you're in danger now:
• Phone the police on 111 or ask neighbours or friends to ring for you.
• Run outside and head for where there are other people. Scream for help so your neighbours can hear you.
• Take the children with you. Don't stop to get anything else.
• If you are being abused, remember it's not your fault. Violence is never okay.
Where to go for help or more information:
• Women's Refuge: Crisis line – 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843 (available 24/7)
• Shine: Helpline – 0508 744 633 (available 24/7)
• It's Not Ok: Family violence information line – 0800 456 450
• Shakti: Specialist services for African, Asian and Middle Eastern women and children.
• Crisis line – 0800 742 584 (available 24/7)
• Ministry of Justice: For information on family violence
• Te Kupenga Whakaoti Mahi Patunga: National Network of Family Violence Services
• White Ribbon: Aiming to eliminate men's violence towards women.

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