The final moments of Aussie surfer shot dead in New Zealand revealed
The final moments of Australian surfer Sean McKinnon’s life have been revealed after he was shot dead in New Zealand.
A man will front court charged with the murder of Mr McKinnon on Saturday along with a number of other offences including aggravated robbery and making threats to kill, New Zealand Police have confirmed.
Mr McKinnon, 33, was killed while sleeping in the van with his Canadian fiancee Bianca Buckley, in the renowned North Island surfing town of Raglan.
The gunman allegedly ambushed the couple after 2am on Friday, demanding the keys to the camper van before shooting Mr McKinnon.
A resident, who woke to Ms Buckley knocking on her door at 3am, told the New Zealand Herald the couple had tried to diffuse the situation before Mr McKinnon was shot.
"She had just woken up out of a deep sleep to a commotion. Her partner was half asleep, fumbling to try and get the keys,” she told the NZ Herald.
"Then something happened. Her boyfriend changed his tone. He was less calm and the guy [offender] just seemed to shift in that moment.”
The woman added the man then shot Mr McKinnon twice before kicking his fiancee out of the van and driving off.
“She asked if she could get some clothes because she was naked,” the resident said.
"She got herself out of the van, got her clothes on and hid."
The man then drove off and Mr McKinnon's body was found in the van, which was abandoned in Hamilton, about 80km away.
Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said police weren't looking for anyone else in relation to the attack.
"She (Ms Buckley) is obviously shocked and traumatised," Det Insp Pitkethley told reporters.
"She is thankful that an arrest within a 24-hour period has occurred and we're working with her and her family, and we'll continue to be in touch with her around her welfare."
Mr McKinnon grew up around Warrnambool in southwest Victoria.
Friend Julian Smith told AAP Mr McKinnon loved to surf big waves along the Victorian coast.
“He was a lovable, knockabout Aussie guy, loved his surfing,” Mr Smith said.
With AAP
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