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Two people were killed and multiple were injured in a Thursday morning shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, according to officials.
A gunman, 24, stormed into a high-rise construction site at 1 Queen Street in downtown Auckland around 7.20am local time, just hours before the city stages the Fifa Women’s World Cup.
The gunman was found dead in the building after a police shootout, during which two officers were wounded.
The shooting took place near hotels where the squad for the Norway team, who were scheduled to play in the opening match later on the same day, and other teams have been staying.
Describing it as a “shocking and traumatic” event, police commissioner Andrew Coster said the 24-year-old gunman was armed with a shotgun and did not have a licence to possess the weapon.
The gunman is believed to be a former worker at the building site, and the motivation for the shooting appeared connected to his work there, Mr Coster said.
He added that the gunman had a history of family violence and was serving a sentence of home detention after getting an exemption to work at the lower Queen Street site.
Armed New Zealand police officers stand at a road block in the central business district following a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, July 20, 2023
“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,” police said in a statement.
“Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later.”
Prime minister Chris Hipkins said the whole nation was mourning the deaths and described the two injured police officers as heroes.
“The victims went to work this morning as they do every morning, but they won’t be coming home tonight,” he said.
Ambulance operations officer Stuart Cockburn said they had assessed 10 patients and seven have been taken to hospital, including two police officers.
The gunman began spraying fire at around 7.20 am as people began their work day and he moved through the building firing at people as many workers fled or hid.
Police soon swarmed the commercial business district and imposed a lockdown, with streets cordoned off surrounding the tourist harbour ferry terminal.
Mr Coster said the gunman had barricaded himself in a lift shift on the third floor while Swat-type officers engaged him after securing the floors above and below.
“The offender fired at police, injuring an officer,” Mr Coster said. “Shots were exchanged and the offender was later found deceased.”
It is not yet clear if he died from a bullet discharged by police or killed himself, Mr Coster said.
Mr Coster said: “I want to acknowledge that this has been a shocking and traumatic event for those people who came to work and found themselves in the middle of an armed emergency.
“Thankfully, many people were able to escape the building, but I know for those who hid or remained trapped, this was a terrifying experience.”
As the incident unforded people were asked to remain inside their buildings and bystanders were asked to disperse.
“I can’t remember anything like this ever happening in our beautiful city,” Auckland mayor Wayne Brown said on Thursday. “This morning’s events have been tragic and distressing for all Aucklanders, as this is not something that we are used to.”
Officials say the Women’s World Cup will continue as planned
“While the details of the victims have not yet been confirmed, I want to express my condolences to their families,” he added. “I also want to express sympathy for those in the construction industry and commuters who will be feeling on edge following this incident.”
Mr Hipkins and New Zealand sports minister confirmed that the Fifa match will go ahead as planned as it was a “standalone incident”.
“People should feel safe while out and about in Auckland,” he said.
“There will be an increased police presence obviously around Auckland to provide public reassurance, but the police have indicated that they don’t think there is an ongoing security or safety risk,” he added.
Six people, including a police officer, were injured in shooting
He added that according to police information at this stage, the gunman was armed with a pump-action shotgun, and that officials think there was “was no political or ideological motive for the shooting.”
A bystander told 1 News he was inside the building where the shooting took place and hid inside an office.
“We just heard a massive gunshot, and then one of the guys walked outside the office and came running back in,” the man said.
“We ran to the back of the building where I saw a bloody hard hat. We could see the guy walking around with his gun.”
Officials confirmed that some World Cup teams were impacted by the shooting, with the Italy team delaying training after they were forced to shelter in place in their hotel.
“New Zealand Football are shocked by the incident in Auckland CBD this morning,” the New Zealand team wrote on social media. “We can confirm that all of the Football Ferns team and staff are safe but we will not be able to comment further while details are still emerging.”
“Please refer to New Zealand Police for further information. Preparations for the game tonight at Eden Park will continue as planned.”
https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmluZGVwZW5kZW50LmNvLnVrL25ld3Mvd29ybGQvYXVzdHJhbGFzaWEvYXVja2xhbmQtbmV3LXplYWxhbmQtc2hvb3Rpbmctd29ybGQtY3VwLWIyMzc4NTA2Lmh0bWzSAQA?oc=5
2023-07-20 06:59:49Z
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