Two people were killed and several others injured when a gunman entered a building under construction in Auckland, New Zealand. The incident occurred just hours before the start of the Women’s World Cup soccer match nearby.
According to the police, the male gunman was also killed, but it is unclear if he is included in the death toll.
Reports of gunshots at the construction site were received by the New Zealand Police at around 7:20 a.m. local time. The area was quickly surrounded by armed police officers and vehicles, leading to a partial shutdown of the city.
The incident took place close to Eden Park Stadium, where teams from New Zealand and Norway were scheduled to play. Many World Cup teams and fans were staying in Auckland’s central business district, with the shooting occurring near Team Norway’s hotel.
The United States Women’s National Team, who are also staying in the area, confirmed that all their players and staff are safe. They are in contact with local authorities and will continue with their daily schedule.
The shooting occurred in a busy downtown area with office buildings and hotels, near a ferry terminal on the waterfront.
The police reported that the armed man entered a high-rise building on lower Queen Street and proceeded to shoot on each floor.
Within minutes, a large number of police officers armed with automatic weapons arrived at the scene, evacuating people and closing off streets in the surrounding area. A police helicopter was also present.
The police stated that the gunman had barricaded himself in the elevator shaft on the upper levels of the building and had fired additional shots before being found dead.
Details about the motive for the shooting are not yet available.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown urged residents to stay at home and avoid traveling to the city center during the incident.
2023-07-19 17:34:54
Post from www.nytimes.com