Gunman Kills Two and Injures Several in Shooting in Auckland, New Zealand
AUCKLAND — A gunman opened fire in a building under construction in Auckland, New Zealand, early Thursday, resulting in the deaths of at least two people and several others being injured. The incident occurred just hours before the start of the Women’s World Cup soccer match in the city.
According to the police, the gunman was also killed in the incident, as confirmed in a post on Twitter. The New Zealand Police received reports of gunshots at the construction site at approximately 7:20 a.m. local time. Witnesses, including passers-by and commuters, heard the volley of gunshots during rush hour. Law enforcement swiftly responded to the scene, with armed officers and vehicles flooding the area. As a result, parts of the city were briefly shut down.
The shooting took place in close proximity to Eden Park Stadium, where teams from New Zealand and Norway were scheduled to play. Many World Cup teams and fans are currently staying in Auckland’s central business district, heightening concerns during the incident. However, the United States women’s national team confirmed that all of their players and staff were safe and accounted for.
The shooter entered a high-rise building occupied by construction workers on lower Queen Street. He proceeded to move floor by floor, shooting as he went. Authorities arrived promptly, evacuating people from the area and urging them to seek cover. A police helicopter hovered overhead, while officers engaged in an exchange of gunfire with the assailant on the upper levels of the building. Ultimately, the gunman was found deceased in the elevator shaft.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins stated that the shooter, armed with a pump-action shotgun, appeared to have acted alone. Although details about the motive and the shooter’s identity remain unknown, the police deemed the situation contained. Construction workers, who sought refuge during the shooting, were safely released several hours later, with the police subsequently clearing the building.
Despite the incident, Prime Minister Hipkins affirmed that the FIFA Women’s World Cup would proceed as planned. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown urged residents to stay at home and avoid traveling into the city center.
Norway’s soccer team, staying in a nearby hotel, was unharmed during the shooting. Security guards asked members of the team to remain inside the hotel as authorities secured the area. The Norwegian squad assured the public that their preparations were going ahead as scheduled, and they felt safe throughout the incident.
New Zealand is not known for high levels of gun violence, with gun ownership being relatively low in the country. However, notable incidents in the past have prompted changes to gun regulations. In 1997, a shooting in Raurimu resulted in six deaths and four injuries. Another shooting in Aramoana in 1990 claimed 13 lives and injured three before the perpetrator was shot by the police. The 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, where 51 people were killed, led to significant gun law reforms.
Authorities are still investigating the motives behind the shooting in Auckland, and further updates are expected.