Three people are dead, including the gunman, after a shooting in downtown Auckland on Thursday, the day the 2023 Women’s World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins told the media that a man armed with a “pump-action shotgun” entered a construction site and opened fire, killing two and injuring several others before he was eventually confirmed dead himself.
“Upon reaching the upper levels of the building the man contained himself in an elevator,” Hipkins said. “Shots were fired and he was confirmed dead.”
“Police have contained a serious incident that unfolded at a construction site in Auckland’s CBD this morning,” New Zealand police tweeted. “Multiple injuries have been reported and at this stage we can confirm two people have died. The male offender is also deceased.”
Police said the incident unfolded at around 7:22 a.m., just hours before Auckland was set to host the first game of the World Cup at Eden Park between New Zealand and Norway.
Hipkins said that the tournament would proceed as planned.
“Clearly with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland,” Hipkins said. “The government has spoken to FIFA organizers 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.”
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown told New Zealand public radio RNZ that the shooting was a “dreadful thing to happen in our city at a time when the rest of the world’s watching us over the football.”
U.S. Soccer released a statement shortly after the incident, saying: “All of our players and staff are accounted for and safe. Our security team is in communication with local authorities and we are proceeding with our daily schedule.”
New Zealand Football also released a statement, saying: “New Zealand Football are shocked by the incident in Auckland CBD this morning. We can confirm that all of the Football Ferns team and staff are safe but we will not be able to comment further while details are still emerging.”
“Preparations for the game tonight at Eden Park will continue as planned,” it concluded.
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