Just hours before the FIFA Women’s World Cup began in Auckland, New Zealand, two people were killed in a shooting.
Police reported that the 24-year-old shooter also died after the rampage at a building site near a hotel. Many teams, including the USA, the defending champions, and the Norwegian team, stayed in the central business area (CBD) at the beginning of the morning rush hour.
Around 7.20 am, according to police, the man allegedly opened fire with a pump-action shotgun. He started to move through a nearby building until being cornered by officers in an elevator shaft on one of the building’s upper floors.
A police officer who was taken to the hospital in a serious condition but is now said to be stable was among the other five injured people.
The shooter had a job at the construction site, according to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, and “his presence at the site this morning was connected with that work.”
“Thankfully, many people were able to escape the building, but I know that for those who hid or remained trapped in the building, this was a terrifying experience,” he added.
Chris Hipkins, the prime minister of New Zealand, attended the incident scene and assured the media that there was “no wider security threat” and that the
He told reporters: “Clearly, with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland.
“The government has spoken to FIFA organisers 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.”
Co-hosting the month-long, 32-team tournament are New Zealand and Australia, which will also play host to the championship game on August 20.
