Two persons lost their lives and six people, including police personnel, sustained injuries in a shooting incident in central Auckland where the Women’s World Cup gets underway Thursday. New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the gunman also died and there was no national security risk. Hipkins confirmed that the FIFA World Cup would take place as planned, reported news agency Reuters. The shooting occurred Thursday at a building site on Queen St in Auckland's main thoroughfare around 7:20 am. Locals heard the gunfire and reported it to the police.
As per police officials, the shooter was armed with a pump-action shotgun. Officials added that he was moving through the building site and after reaching the upper levels, he “contained himself within the elevator shaft,” reported the Guardian.
“Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later,” Guardian quoted the police officials as saying.
As per the reports of local media, the gunman was believed to be 24 years old and worked at that building.
Several streets in the city were sealed off, and all ferry services into the city were cancelled, however, buses were still running through some areas and some were detoured.
The incident came just a few hours before the opening match of the ninth Women’s World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland later on Thursday. Auckland welcomed thousands of international players and tourists for the event which is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
"Aucklanders and those watching around the world can be assured that the police have neutralised the threat and that they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident," he added.
Due to the incident, the Italy team could not get out of their hotel on time due to which their training was delayed. The U.S. team said that all of its players and staff were accounted for and safe, as per the Guardian.
A number of national soccer teams are based in New Zealand's largest city, including the US squad, which said in a statement that all its players and staff were accounted for and safe.
Mass shootings are rare in New Zealand and sweeping gun laws were introduced after the 2019 Christchurch mosque massacre, in which 51 Muslim worshippers were killed and another 40 wounded.