The family of the man gunned down on Ponsonby Rd is calling his death “tragic and sudden”. 

Stuff is reporting an online tribute has been posted for Robert Sidney Horne, aged 33. 

A Facebook post from a family member said they were feeling “deep sadness”. 

“It is with deep sadness we announce the tragic and sudden passing of our son, brother, moko, uncle [and] friend to many,” the post read. 

Police confirmed this morning the alleged shooter, Hone Kay-Selwyn was found dead near Taupō. 

A woman claiming to be his partner has expressed her remorse over the fatal shooting. 

On Monday, police put out a warrant to arrest the 31-year-old for unlawful possession of a firearm. 

Hone Kay-Selwyn, the man accused of the fatal shooting in Ponsonby Rd on Sunday night, has been found dead. Photo / NZ Police 

Alleged shooter’s partner speaks out 

A woman who claims she is Kay-Selwyn’s partner reflected on the fatal shooting on social media. 

“My inbox is overflowing with messages concerning Hone’s [alleged] actions [on Sunday] night in Ponsonby,” the woman said. 

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“I want to express my sincerest condolences to the family and loved ones of the victim. I’m deeply sorry and feel a great sense of shame about the situation. 

Hone Kay-Selwyn, the man suspected of being the Ponsonby Rd shooting gunman. Photo / Facebook 

“I’m still grappling with the fact that Hone [allegedly] took someone’s life.” 

Her social media post has since been deleted. 

Kay-Selwyn had been in court in the past. He first appeared in the Waitākere District Court in May 2020 on a charge of assault with intent to injure. 

In June 2020, he appeared again after breaching bail. 

And in December 2020, he appeared in the Waitākere District Court for breaching community detention conditions 

The Herald has exclusive footage of Kay-Selwyn immediately after the shooting, showing him calmly walking away from the crime scene and talking on his cellphone. 

Kay-Selwyn walks into the camera’s frame at 10.17pm, two minutes after the shots were fired. 

Witness saw body lying on ground 

When the first reports of gunshots came in, about two dozen armed officers descended on the scene from all directions. The police Eagle helicopter was circling overhead. 

“I saw the body,” one man who worked on Ponsonby Rd told the Herald. 

There was screaming and shouting after the man was shot, he said. 

Police at the scene of the fatal shooting on Ponsonby Road. Photo / Hayden Woodward 

A hearse arrived at the scene at 1.50am. A specialist team of detectives and a police forensic photographer were working at the scene through the night. 

Kay-Selwyn had earlier tried getting into a pub but was turned away as it was closing, Barry said. He then lingered around the Richmond Rd end of the street. 

A group of four people - including the victim - got out of their car about 10.15pm. They walked in the suspect’s direction. The shooting happened after this, Barry said. 

Rachel Maher is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. She has worked for the Herald since 2022. 

This article was originally posted on the NZ Herald here.