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A tragic New Year’s Day incident in New Zealand left one police officer dead and another severely injured after a driver deliberately struck them during their routine patrol, according to the country’s top law enforcement official.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers reported that the incident occurred around 2 a.m. local time in Nelson, when a vehicle deliberately targeted the officers at high speed in a parking area. The driver then proceeded to crash into a police vehicle nearby. Authorities quickly apprehended a 32-year-old suspect in connection with the attack.
We might be half a world away, but my thoughts are with the loved ones, family, friends and colleagues of Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming of New Zealand Police, killed in the Line of Duty last night.
Sending my best wishes to Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay too. 🫡#ThinBlueLine 🇳🇿 🚨 pic.twitter.com/v7ycktqbp4
— Brick Cop©️ (@Brick_Cop) January 1, 2025
Senior Sergeant Lyn Fleming, a respected 38-year veteran of the force and beloved member of the Nelson community, succumbed to her injuries at a local hospital. She leaves behind a spouse and children. Her colleague remains in serious condition but is expected to recover fully. The incident also resulted in injuries to a third officer who sustained a concussion in the police vehicle collision, while two civilians were hurt, including one who had rushed to assist the wounded officers.
The attack, which took place just hours after the city’s New Year’s celebrations in downtown Nelson, a city of 55,000 residents, has deeply shaken the nation. Police Minister Mark Mitchell characterized the incident as “a very cowardly attack” where officers were specifically targeted.
New Zealand 🇳🇿
Nelson
🚨 Car Ramming attack at 02:10 hrs (2.10 am) Wednesday
Can sadly confirm that one female police officer has been killed. 🙏
Another officer is critically injured
A man 32 year old male has been arrested for this cowardly attack
Both the Police… pic.twitter.com/gwTNr4AFhI— The Consultant (@TheConsultant18) January 1, 2025
Commissioner Chambers expressed his dismay at what he described as “a senseless act of an individual who appears to have been determined to cause harm,” though he provided no information about potential motives. He noted that there had been no warning signs of the impending violence.
The incident marks a rare occurrence of fatal violence against law enforcement in New Zealand. Prior to this tragedy, the last on-duty police fatality occurred in 2020 when an officer was fatally shot by a suspect during a pursuit. Since 1890, 33 officers have lost their lives to criminal acts while serving.
The suspect is scheduled to appear before the court on Friday to face charges related to the incident.
