Coroner rules Shargin Stephens' fatal police shooting was preventable

Friday 8 August 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Fri 8 Aug 2025, 8:02am

In this story NZ Police, Michael Robb

A coroner has ruled that the 2016 shooting of Shargin Stephens in Rotorua was preventable. The report stated a probationary officer in a heightened emotional state pushed past experienced staff and got dangerously close to Stephens. The coroner found police tactics showed a disregard for the right to life and lacked effective leadership.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZFri 8 Aug 2025, 4:57am

   Police shooting: Coroner rules Shargin Stephens' death was 'preventable' (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldFri 8 Aug 2025, 5:00am

   Coroner: Shooting of Shargin Stephens was ‘preventable’, slams police actions (opens in new tab)

3. StuffFri 8 Aug 2025, 5:00am

   Sister to cop who fatally wounded her brother: ‘I send nothing but best intentions’ (opens in new tab)

4. 1News via RNZFri 8 Aug 2025, 7:34am

   Coroner rules Shargin Stephens' death was 'preventable' (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesFri 8 Aug 2025, 8:02am

   Shooting death by police 'preventable': Coroner (opens in new tab)