He Was Shot Dead on the Day He Was Trying to Change

On 17 December 2022, outside a church in Papatoetoe, South Auckland, Daniel Eliu — known as Sa-Dan Notorious — was shot dead in front of around 200 people, including children. But this was not just another gang-related headline. That morning, Eliu was attending a Grace Foundation graduation event, a rehabilitation programme for people trying to rebuild their lives after prison, addiction, and violence. He had a long criminal history. He was also six months into a programme that may have represented a possible way out. Then Thomas Tahitahi arrived with a hidden firearm. Six shots were fired in four seconds. Eliu died within minutes. This video examines the killing, the evidence, the Mercedes-Benz, the CCTV, the scar that helped identify the shooter, the unanswered questions, and the deeper issue behind this case: Can someone truly walk away from the gang world — and will that world ever let them go? ⚠️ Content Warning: This video discusses a real targeted killing and organised crime in New Zealand. It is made for educational and documentary purposes only. We do not glorify, support, or promote gangs, violence, or criminal behaviour. #kaitiakid #TrueCrime #NZGangs #TrueCrimeDocumentary #OrganisedCrime #TrueCrimeNZ #NewZealandCrime #TrueCrimeNZ #DanielEliu #MongrelMob #SouthAuckland #GangViolence