A Nirranda surfer, musician has been shot dead in a campervan during a random attack in New Zealand before his killer stole the vehicle and drove it for an hour with his body inside.
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Sean McKinnon, 33, was killed while sleeping in a campervan in Raglan, outside Hamilton, about 3am on Friday.
His older sister Emmeline McKinnon described him as a loveable character who enjoyed travelling.
"He suffered from a bit of the old restless soul syndrome, he was a hard worker, a brilliant musician and an amazing surfer," she said.
Ms McKinnon said her brother was a very thoughtful person who spent his entire life helping people.
"He was always a one to give you a hug and tell you that he loved you," she said. "He was a very gentle sort of soul with a good sense of humour."
Ms McKinnon said Sean's mother was heartbroken by the loss of her son.
"No parent wants to live to see their children pass away," she said.
"It's her worst nightmare."
Police said it was a tragic incident and a hunt for the gunman was continuing on Friday.
"Inquiries indicate that this was a random attack," Detective Inspector Graham Pitkethley said.
Mr McKinnon was sleeping in the campervan with his 32-year-old Canadian fiancee Bianca when the gunman fired a number of shots into the vehicle.
Police said she escaped and fled to a nearby property to raise the alarm while the gunman stole the campervan with the dying Mr McKinnon inside.
Mr McKinnon's fiancee Bianca ran several kilometres to raise the alarm.
Police said the man's body was found in the stolen campervan abandoned on Gordonton Road in Hamilton, 80km away from the Raglan crime scene.
Corangamite shire councillor Simon Illingworth said the Port Campbell community would be gutted over the random shooting of Mr McKinnon.
"I knew him for years through surfing. He's just an awesome bloke, cruisy, honest, give you the shirt off his back sort of bloke," he said.
"I've known him for years, a couple of decades. I'm just gutted for him and his family. He was such a nice bloke."
Cr Illingworth said Mr McKinnon was well known around the Port Campbell area.
"Seanny Mac was always a legend. He would do somersaults off the Port Campbell pier with the kids. He always had time for everyone," he said.
"He was just a lovely bloke, liked to joke around and the kids that knew him will be absolutely devastated."
Mr McKinnon grew up with his father Terry and siblings near Nirranda, playing footy with the Blues.
Friend Julian Smith said Mr McKinnon was a "lovable, knockabout Aussie guy" who loved his surfing.
"He loved to surf big waves down the coast. He charged five-metre waves," Mr Smith said.
The gunman reportedly demanded the keys to the campervan before shooting the Australian "more than once".
Detective Inspector Pitkethley said police were working on the assumption the gunman is still armed.
Forensic police are examining the campervan for evidence.
Raglan is a well-known surfing spot for big-wave surfers.
Mr McKinnon's campervan was parked in the Te Toto Gorge track car park, not far from the water.
Detective Inspector Pitkethley expects someone knows who killed Mr McKinnon.
"Due to the circumstances of the attack, it is likely that he has confided in members of his community," he said.
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