Cape Town – Luke Smith, a 21-year-old South African man critically injured in an assault outside the St James Theatre on Wellington’s Courtenay Place, has reportedly died after being taken off life support.
The incident occurred early on Sunday morning.
A 29-year-old man, reportedly a boxer, has been charged with wounding with reckless disregard.
The investigation has now turned into a homicide inquiry, the report said.
“The investigation into a weekend assault on Courtenay Place in Wellington has become a homicide enquiry.
“The victim of the Sunday morning assault, 21-year-old Luke Smith, died in hospital today surrounded by family after his life support was withdrawn overnight,” Wellington Criminal Investigations Branch’s Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch said in a statement on Tuesday.
He added: “Police and Victim Support are providing support to his family at this horrific time,” he said.
Smith, who emigrated from South Africa to New Zealand with his family earlier this year, was assaulted near a bus stop, and police are seeking witnesses, especially two women who were nearby.
A post-mortem is scheduled, and Smith’s body will be returned to South Africa for his funeral.
“A post-mortem is scheduled for Wednesday 9 October, after which Luke’s family are planning to return him to South Africa for his funeral.
“We are still working to determine exactly what happened. Luke was assaulted about 3.15am on Sunday, at the bus stop outside the old Reading Cinema building,” said Leitch.
Further charges against the accused may be laid.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
