Police urge Wellington taxi driver shooting suspect to surrender

  • 21/11/2017
Mr Nuku allegedly used a small pistol to shoot taxi driver Alem Tesema on Saturday night.
Mr Nuku allegedly used a small pistol to shoot taxi driver Alem Tesema on Saturday night. Photo credit: Supplied

Police are urging the man suspected of shooting a Wellington taxi driver to hand himself in.

Dylan Nuku, 26, is thought to be armed and police are warning public not to approach him.

Police believe Mr Nuku is still in Wellington and are urgently checking several addresses in the area.

Mr Nuku allegedly used a small pistol to shoot taxi driver Alem Tesema on Saturday night.

Mr Tesema had picked up Mr Nuku and a female passenger from Courtenay Place, a busy street filled with bars and restaurants.

Wellington police detective senior sergeant Warwick McKee said police have "a lot of good CCTV footage" that has tied Mr Nuku to the shooting.

He said it was "very concerning" that a person with a weapon was walking around the Wellington CBD.

"We've been in contact with family members, who are willing to assist us, and we're appealing to them to keep the communication going with Dylan, and appeal to him to come forward and speak to police," Detective Senior Sergeant McKee said.

Mr Tesema has had surgery on his right shoulder and is now recovering at home.

He told Newshub he would never forget the night of the shooting.

He arrived in New Zealand as a refugee from Ethiopa 20 years and has been driving taxis for 15 years, but he is too afraid to return to the job.

"It's not easy to take away from your brain really, still I am thinking about it - I am still in shock."

Newshub.