![\"Benjamin](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4JURP5G_Timmins_final_1_jpg.jpeg\")
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\nBenjamin Harry Timmins.
\nPhoto: Supplied\n<\/p>\n
A man found dead after a shooting near Levin was actually stabbed, police say.<\/p>\n
The man, identified by his sister as 60-year-old Benjamin Harry Timmins, was found dead and three others with gunshot wounds in Wait\u0101rere Beach on 14 January.<\/p>\n
The police initially said all four people<\/a> had gunshot wounds – but the scene examination and post-mortem have now been completed.<\/p>\n “As a result, Police now believe one person at the address received a wound consistent with being stabbed,” Central District crime manager Inspector Craig Sheridan said.<\/p>\n “The three people who received wounds consistent with being shot remain in hospital in a stable condition.”<\/p>\n Do you know more? Get in touch with: sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz<\/p>\n Police say they’ve spoken to the three injured people as part of their investigation.<\/p>\n In the initial police response, they said the three people in hospital – an 46-year-old woman, and two young men aged 17 and 21 – were found with critical injuries.<\/p>\n “Another young person who was at the address is physically unharmed and they are being given wrap-around support,” they said.<\/p>\n A firearm was also found at the scene.<\/p>\n Police earlier revealed a dismantled gun, parts and ammunition were seized from the property<\/a> a few hours before police returned to find the dead man and critically injured people.<\/p>\n They also confirmed they responded to a family harm-related incident at the same property on Friday 9 January, where Timmins was arrested and charged with assault on a person in a family relationship.<\/p>\n Timmins was due in court on the day of the fatal shooting.<\/p>\n