New Zealand gunman kills two people on eve of Women’s World Cup
Editor’s Note: The following story incorporates particulars about gun violence, and could also be distressing for some readers.
AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — A gunman killed two individuals at a downtown building web site in New Zealand’s largest metropolis of Auckland on Thursday, because the nation ready to host video games within the FIFA Women’s World Cup event. Authorities mentioned the shooter was additionally lifeless.
Police mentioned six different individuals, together with not less than one officer, have been injured in the course of the taking pictures, which came about close to resorts the place Team Norway and different groups have been staying.
New Zealand Prime Minster Chris Hipkins mentioned the event would go forward as deliberate.
“Clearly with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland,” Hipkins said. “The government has spoken to FIFA organizers this morning and the tournament will proceed as planned. I want to reiterate that there is no wider national security threat. This appears to be the action of one individual.”
Hipkins mentioned the shooter was armed with a pump-action shotgun. Police arrived 1 minute after the primary emergency name and had run into hurt’s method to save the lives of others, he mentioned.
“These kinds of situations move fast and the actions of those who risk their lives to save others are nothing short of heroic,” Hipkins mentioned.
Acting Police Superintendent Sunny Patel mentioned the person started taking pictures on the web site on decrease Queen Street at about 7:20 a.m. Police swarmed the world.
The man moved via the constructing, firing at individuals there, Patel mentioned.
“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,” Patel mentioned in a press release. “Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later.”
It wasn’t instantly clear if police had shot the gunman or he had killed himself.
Outside, armed law enforcement officials had the business business district on heavy lockdown with streets cordoned off surrounding the vacationer harbor ferry terminal space. Police demanded bystanders disperse and ordered these already inside their workplace buildings to shelter in place.
The incident comes as soccer groups and followers gathered in New Zealand for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The opening match is scheduled for Thursday between New Zealand and Norway.
Team Norway captain Maren Mjelde mentioned individuals awakened shortly when a helicopter started hovering exterior the lodge window.
“We felt safe the whole time,” she mentioned in a press release. “FIFA has a good security system at the hotel, and we have our own security officer in the squad. Everyone seems calm and we are preparing as normal for the game tonight.”
Team USA mentioned all its gamers and workers have been accounted for and secure. It mentioned the crew was in communication with native authorities and continuing with its day by day schedule.
New Zealand in 2019 banned assault weapons, weeks after a gunman slaughtered 51 individuals at two mosques within the metropolis of Christchurch in the course of the nation’s worst mass taking pictures.
A subsequent buyback scheme noticed gun house owners hand over greater than 50,000 AR-15-style rifles and different assault weapons to police.
The ban doesn’t embody all semi-automatic weapons. Hipkins mentioned he wasn’t instantly clear if the weapon the gunman used would have been coated by the ban.
Officials at Eden Park, the place the opening match is happening, mentioned they have been encouraging ticket holders to reach early and there could be an elevated safety presence on the venue.
Tourism New Zealand canceled a media welcome social gathering, which was scheduled to be held Thursday afternoon at a location inside the cordoned off space.
