“Planned and Violent”: Police Seek Trio After Unprovoked Attack on Year 13 Party
By Lions Roar News Crime Desk
WELLINGTON, NZ (Wednesday, January 14, 2026) — Police have released chilling new details regarding a “planned, violent, and unprovoked” attack on a group of Year 13 students at a supervised party in Churton Park last month.
Investigators have tracked the movements of four uninvited individuals who allegedly gate-crashed the event, revealing they made a calculated stop at a nearby petrol station just minutes before the assault began.
🕵️ The Investigation: A Calculated Strike
Acting Detective Sergeant Laura Murdoch stated that after extensive interviews with witnesses and victims, a clear timeline has emerged.
- Pre-Meditation: Approximately 20 minutes before the attack, the suspects were spotted at the Mobil Gas Station in Johnsonville.
- The Party: The group arrived uninvited at the supervised student gathering in Churton Park, where they launched what police describe as a deliberate and violent assault on the unsuspecting teenagers.
- CCTV Release: Police are now releasing CCTV footage from the service station in hopes that the public can identify three men believed to be central to the investigation.
🔍 Suspect Description: The ’36’ Jersey
Police are paying particular attention to the clothing worn by one of the individuals in the footage:
- Top: A Pittsburgh Steelers NFL jersey featuring the number ’36’.
- Bottom: Light-colored denim shorts.
- Footwear: Blue and white basketball sneakers.
Authorities believe identifying this individual will be key to uncovering the identity of the entire group.
🚔 A Call to Action
“This was a traumatic event for a group of young people who were celebrating in a supervised, safe environment,” Murdoch said. Police are urging anyone who recognizes the men in the CCTV or who has information about the vehicles seen at the Johnsonville Mobil that night to come forward.
If you have information, please contact the Police via 105 or provide details anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
