A police tent outside the dairy in New Windsor. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Witnesses to a stabbing at an Auckland dairy say they will never forget the shocking scenes of a couple being attacked in their own shop.
Police have spent the night at the scene in the central suburb of New Windsor, reassuring scared and traumatised residents.
A 24-year-old man was arrested, while the shop owner remains in hospital in critical condition.
Dalayne Tareha was sitting outside her home on New Windsor Road when she saw dozens of police cars driving past.
"I was actually coming inside to have a shower and I saw the police hold down this man.
"The shopkeeper man came out to the ambulance, and all I could see was blood all over his face."
Next to the dairy where the attack happened, barber Lucky was just starting another day at work.
"We were working inside the shop, and I heard somebody crying outside.
"I came outside and saw the police and they just told us [to] go inside and stay inside."
Abid Sayid just moved to the area and was a customer of the shop.
He said the violent knife attack brought concerns for his family's safety.
"It's shocking and we are scared. Imagine how scary it is, I live with my two daughters, and it's just not safe.
"We've always heard about ram raids and things, but we never thought that it can be happening right next to us."
Neighbours worry for their safety after the daylight attack left two people in hospital. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Sarah Tai lived just across the road from the dairy and felt the same way.
"I really thought that wouldn't ever happen, because I feel like we're in a safe place on the main road next to a lot of people.
"But now we know there are robbers around here ... it's pretty scary."
Her brother, Cane, said he would never forget the shocking scenes.
"It was shocking because we were right next door. I know the dairy owner, he is lovely, he is always happy to help.
"Maybe the guy probably had a long day and just took it out on the shopkeeper. Just seeing the police and the blood, it was shocking for me, made me think of my family. I will never forget it."
Police said people who were inside the shop at the time of the attack helped restrain the offender.
They had also helped the injured man and his wife, who was also hurt.
Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin commended the resident's courage in stepping in but said people should be careful.
"In any situation, our advice is for the public to avoid putting themselves in danger, but we absolutely commend their bravery and courage in stepping in to assist this morning.
"There are some courageous people in our community and their actions may well have saved the man's life."
'I feel the pain' - retailer
Ravi Singh. Photo: RNZ / Rayssa Almeida
Ravi Singh knew exactly what it felt like to be brutally assaulted.
The retailer, who was now part of the Dairy Owners Association, had his liquor store attacked multiple times.
"It's really hard because I got stabbed once and I've also been at gunpoint. So, I've seen it, and I can feel the pain which they have today.
"It's awful, we are always questioning 'are we in the right country, are we in the right business?'."
Whau ward councillor Kerrin Leoni said the attack was unprecedented.
"This is an isolated incident, there hasn't been a stabbing or something along those lines in New Windsor since 2008, so it's been more than a decade that there have been no incidents of this type of nature in the area."
Police said they were not seeking anyone else connected to the attack.
They said the man arrested would face charges of multiple counts of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and resisting police.
