On Auckland’s North Shore, four people were stabbed in what police describe as a “random” and “isolated” event.
A woman claims a man chased her off the beach with a “large knife” and she had to flee screaming.
According to reports, the attacker was stopped by members of the public, preventing the event from “getting a lot worse.”
The attacker, who was a local, has been caught.
He had stabbed four people who had received moderate injuries as he went about his day before being stopped by someone using a crutch.
“This was an isolated incident,” Superintendent Naila Hassan said.
“This offender was on the move, he was on foot, it started in Murrays Bay, and he continued to walk through to Mairangi Bay.
“A number of members of the public were following him and eventually one of them intervened.
“It could’ve been a lot worse and that’s why I really need to acknowledge the bravery of those members of the public that intervened to bring this to a conclusion.”
According to Hassan, the attack was a surprise and there was no indication it was a hate crime.
The attacker is in hospital with minor injuries. He will be charged, she confirmed.