Man accused of violent rampage in Auckland’s Epsom named as Shalty Heta
Shalty Heta has been charged with 17 offenses following a violent rampage in Auckland, New Zealand, that included assaulting a jogger, carjacking, and killing a dog. The defendant has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting a court hearing in December.
Why it matters
The incident caused significant public alarm and raises questions regarding public safety and mental health interventions in urban areas.
The aftermath of a police incident at Manukau Rd, Epsom. Photo / RNZ, Marika Khabazi
The man accused of a violent rampage in the Auckland suburb of Epsom can now be named.
Heta is in custody after allegedly assaulting a jogger , taking a car and running down three high-school-aged cyclists, and killing a dog.
Appearing at the Auckland District Court on Friday, he pleaded not guilty through his lawyer, Jane-Frances O’Halloran.
He did not seek continued name suppression.
Judge Evangelos Thomas set his hearing date for December.
Heta faces 17 charges including intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which has a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment.
Police said they were called to reports of a serious assault at the intersection of Ranfurly Rd and Manukau Rd about 7am on August 5.
What followed were described by Auckland City district commander Superintendent Sunny Patel as six separate incidents.
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