AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) – A gunman killed two people Thursday at a construction site in the center of New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, as the nation prepared to host World Cup tournament matches FIFA Women’s Authorities said the shooter had also died.
What you need to know
A gunman has killed two people at a construction site in the city center of Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, as the nation prepared to host matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.
Authorities said the shooter had also died
Police said several people, including at least one police officer, were injured during Thursday’s shooting, which took place near hotels where Team Norway and other teams had been staying.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the tournament would go ahead as planned
Authorities said six other people, including at least one police officer, were wounded in the shooting, which took place near hotels where the Norway team and other soccer teams had been staying.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the tournament would go ahead as planned.
“Clearly, with the FIFA World Cup starting this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland,” Hipkins said. “The government spoke to FIFA organizers this morning and the tournament will go ahead as planned.”
“I want to reiterate that there is no broader threat to national security. It appears to be the action of a single individual.”
Hipkins said the shooter was armed with a pump-action shotgun. Police arrived within a minute of the first emergency call and had found themselves in danger to save lives, he said.
“These types of situations move quickly and the actions of those who risk their lives to save others are nothing short of heroic,” Hipkins said.
Acting Superintendent of Police Sunny Patel said the man began shooting at the site at the bottom of Queen Street at around 7.20am. Police swarmed the area.
The man moved around the building, shooting people there, Patel said.
“Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the male was restrained in the elevator shaft and our staff attempted to engage with him,” Patel said in a statement. “More shots were fired from the man and he was found dead a short time later.”
It was not immediately clear whether police shot the gunman or if he committed suicide.
Outside, armed police officers had the commercial district on heavy lockdown with the streets cordoned off surrounding the ferry terminal area of the tourist port. Police demanded that onlookers disperse and ordered people inside their office buildings to shelter in place.
The incident comes as soccer teams and fans gathered in New Zealand for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The opening match is scheduled for Thursday between New Zealand and Norway.
Norway team captain Maren Mjelde said the team’s players were quickly awakened when a helicopter began hovering outside the hotel window.
“We felt safe the whole time,” he said in a statement. “FIFA has a good security system at the hotel and we have our own security officer on staff. Everyone seems calm and we are preparing as normal for tonight’s game.”
Team USA said all of its players and staff were accounted for and safe. He said the team was in communication with local authorities and proceeding with their daily schedule.
New Zealand assault weapons prohibited in 2019, weeks after a gunman killed 51 people at two mosques in the city of Christchurch in the country’s worst mass shooting.
A subsequent buyback scheme saw gun owners turn in more than 50,000 AR-15-style rifles and other assault weapons to police.
The ban does not include all semi-automatic weapons. Hipkins said it was not immediately clear whether the gun the gunman used would have been covered by the ban.
Officials at Eden Park, where the opening game is taking place, said they were encouraging ticket holders to arrive early and there would be an increased security presence at the venue.
Tourism New Zealand canceled a media welcome party, which was scheduled for Thursday afternoon at a location inside the cordoned off area.
This is a developing story. Check back later for updates.
