6 Sep 2009

Unclear if altercation played part in man's death

1:09 pm on 6 September 2009

Detectives are questioning residents of a block of flats in Palmerston North as they try to piece together the events leading up to the death of a man found with a gun next to him.

Jamie Martin Faulkner, 32, was found dead with a gunshot wound in the grounds of a block of flats in Heretaunga St at about 4pm on Friday.

The police have confirmed that he was involved in an altercation with another man at a nearby flat shortly before the death was reported, and have spoken to the man.

Spokesperson Kim Perks says officers are still trying to work out whether the altercation played any part in Mr Faulkner's death.

A post-mortem was being carried out on Sunday, but Ms Perks says the results on their own might not be enough to establish the relevance of the altercation.

The results will be considered in conjunction with information gathered from scientists and from detectives who are questioning residents.

Ms Perks says police are seeking any information from residents at the flats which could help them work out what happened and are trying to gain a better understanding of the relationship between the two men.

A forensic examination of the scene is likely to continue on Monday.