Antonie Dixon was born in 1968 in New Zealand. He had a troubled upbringing, reportedly suffering severe abuse during his childhood. Dixon accumulated over 150 convictions, primarily for theft and burglary, and was imprisoned at least 14 times. His former girlfriend, Simonne Butler, stated that he had been using methamphetamine since at least 2001.

On January 21, 2003, Dixon embarked on an 11-hour methamphetamine-fueled spree of violence. He attacked his two partners, Renee Gunbie and Simonne Butler, with a Samurai sword at a property in Pipiroa. Gunbie's left hand was completely severed, and both of Butler's arms were partially severed. After the sword broke, Dixon fled the scene, stealing a vehicle and traveling to Auckland.

In Auckland, Dixon fatally shot James Te Aute with a homemade sub-machine gun at the Highland Park shopping center. He then took a man hostage, leading to a standoff with police. Eleven hours after the initial attack, Dixon surrendered to authorities.

During his trial, Dixon claimed insanity as his defense. He was found guilty of murder, wounding, kidnapping, shooting at police, and aggravated burglary. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 20 years.

Dixon's conviction was later quashed on appeal, and a retrial was ordered. In July 2008, he was again found guilty of the same charges. He was awaiting re-sentencing when he died by suicide in his prison cell on February 4, 2009.