Two people were killed and six more were left injured in Auckland after a gunman opened fire before being shot down by the police, The Washington Post reported on July 18 citing officials.
The incident came just 12 hours before the opening game of the Women’s FIFA World Cup. The gunman entered the construction site on Lower Queen Street, near a main train station and ferry terminal, as well as hotels and a popular mall, at around 7:30 am (local time) and started firing shots as he made his way up through the building, the police said.
The gunman has also been killed, the police said.
“Police have contained a serious incident that unfolded at a construction site in Auckland’s CBD this morning. Multiple injuries have been reported and at this stage, we can confirm two people have died. The male offender is also deceased,” the New Zealand Police said on Twitter.
Police have contained a serious incident that unfolded at a construction site in Auckland’s CBD this morning.
Multiple injuries have been reported and at this stage we can confirm two people have died. The male offender is also deceased. pic.twitter.com/bC0EWR7Tzr
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 19, 2023
New Zealand police informed that the shooter, who was armed with a pump-action shotgun, went through the construction site and, after reaching the upper levels “contained himself within the elevator shaft.”
The offender has moved through the building site and continued to discharge his firearm.
Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the male has contained himself within the elevator shaft and our staff have attempted to engage with him.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 19, 2023
Reacting over the incident, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said that the women’s World Cup will open as planned July 20. “We have been in regular contact with FIFA and they are proceeding as planned,” The Washington Post quoted Hipkins as saying to the reporters.
The Prime minister further said that, “Clearly with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland. The government has spoken to FIFA organizers this morning and the tournament will proceed as planned. There was no identified political or ideological motivation for the shooting and therefore no national security risk, I want to reiterate that there is no wider national security threat. This appears to be the action of one individual”.
WATCH: New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins provides a statement on the shooting that happened in Auckland’s Commercial Bay this morning. Two people are dead and six injured, including police officers. The gunmen is also dead. pic.twitter.com/ZqJuohwNnV
— William McGimpsey (@TheZeitgeistNZ) July 19, 2023
“The assessment from officials is that there is no national security risk,” he said, noting that there didn’t appear to be any political or ideological motivation for the shooting.
Meanwhile, the World Cup will begin July 20 night with a game between New Zealand and Norway.
More than 40,000 people, a sell-out crowd, are expected at Eden Park Stadium to watch New Zealand play Norway July 20 night.
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