At least two dead in New Zealand shooting just hours before women’s soccer World Cup kicks off
Heavily armed police arrived in downtown Auckland after reports that a gunman was inside a high-rise building.
Two people were killed after a gunman entered a building that was undergoing renovations. The shooter also died, police confirmed to the New Zealand Herald.
A reporter on the scene said he heard “five continuous shots” while police told another to take cover behind something “hard and solid.”
Multiple people were injured, some of them seriously.
Acting Superintendent Sunny Patel, Auckland’s acting district commander in relief, 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 time we can confirm that two people have died. The male offender has also passed away.”
“This incident developed following reports of a person firing a firearm inside the site on lower Queen Street at around 7:22am. A significant number of police responded and cordoned off the area,” he related.
He said the shooter moved around the construction site and continued to fire his firearm. Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the man restrained himself inside the elevator shaft and police attempted to engage him.
“The man continued to fire and was located dead a short time later.”
He added: “What has unfolded is understandably alarming and we are reassuring the public that this incident has been contained and is an isolated incident. We can also advise that this is not a national security risk.”
Heavily armed police arrived in downtown Auckland, New Zealand, following reports that the suspect had entered the building at around 7.20 am.
A police officer was among the injured, but was able to walk to an ambulance, assisted by colleagues, according to St Johns Ambulance Service.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said he believed the gunman was dead, prior to police confirmation.
Police were seen congregating on Quay Street at 8am local time on Thursday, July 20, as several construction workers who were working at the site were forced to take cover behind piles of material, and tradesmen crouched in the middle of the Commercial Bay tower, a high-rise building.
According to local media reports, one of the construction workers on the 14th floor said a gunman had run up the stairs floor by floor.
Another source told the New Zealand Herald he had come face to face with the suspect, who looked visibly distraught: “He looked like he was looking for someone,” agreed another worker.
One reporter at the scene said he heard “five continuous gunshots” while police told another to take cover behind something “hard and solid.”
This serious incident comes ahead of the opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup New Zealand-Norway, which is scheduled for 5 p.m.
New Zealand Football says it is shocked by the incident in Auckland CBD this morning. “We can confirm that all Football Ferns equipment and staff are safe, but will be unable to comment further while details are still emerging.”