South African Luke Smith passed away after being assaulted, following his emigration with his family to New Zealand earlier in the year, Cape {town} Etc reports.
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Reports say the assault took place at a bus stop outside Reading Cinemas in central Wellington in the early hours of Sunday morning, 6 October.
The incident resulted in Luke’s hospitalisation. On Tuesday, 8 October, his life support was withdrawn overnight and he ultimately passed on.
Smith had allegedly been attending an event in the city dedicated to the celebration of South Africans before the attack.
The New Zealand Herald has reported that a 29-year-old boxer has been charged for the assault of Smith.
According to Wellington Criminal Investigations, the assault investigation as of yesterday has become a homicide inquiry.
‘Luke was full of life, hope, and promise, a bright light taken far too soon,’ commented his family members.
A Givealittle page titled ‘Justice for Luke’ has been established to help the Smith family cope with the financial and emotional burden of the repatriation of their son’s body from New Zealand to South Africa.
‘Your generosity means the world to his family, and the wider African community of Wellington, and will help ensure that Luke’s memory is honoured with love and dignity,’ concluded the Smith family.
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Picture: Givealittle.co.nz / Justice for Luke
