A tragic incident occurred in New Zealand as a gunman took the lives of two individuals just before the Women’s World Cup soccer event.
The gunman was found dead after a police shootout, during which an officer was shot and injured.
In New Zealand, a gunman launched a violent attack at a high-rise construction site in downtown Auckland early on Thursday morning, causing terror among workers and resulting in the deaths of two people. The incident occurred just before New Zealand was set to host games in the FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament.
The police engaged in a shootout with the gunman, who was eventually found dead. During the exchange, an officer was shot and injured, and four civilians also sustained injuries. The construction site was located near hotels where Team Norway and other soccer teams were staying for the tournament.
Despite the tragic event, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that the tournament would proceed as scheduled, and there was no broader national security threat. Hipkins expressed condolences for the victims and praised the bravery of the police officers who acted heroically to save lives during the incident.
According to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, the gunman was a 24-year-old former worker at the building site, and the shooting appeared to be related to his past employment there. The shooter had a history of family violence and was serving a home detention sentence but was granted an exemption to work at the site on lower Queen Street.
The gunman opened fire at around 7:20 a.m., causing chaos as workers sought safety. After moving through the building, he barricaded himself in an elevator shaft on the third floor, where SWAT-type officers engaged him after securing the surrounding floors.
It is yet to be determined whether the police shot the gunman or if he took his own life. Notably, the shooter did not possess a gun license, making his possession of a weapon unlawful.
This tragic incident unfolded as soccer teams and fans gathered in New Zealand for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, with the opening match scheduled between New Zealand and Norway. Despite the turmoil, teams assured that they were safe, and the tournament would continue with the appropriate security measures in place.
The attack is a somber reminder of the country’s efforts to address gun violence, as New Zealand banned assault weapons in 2019 following the devastating mass shooting in Christchurch, where 51 people were killed at two mosques. A subsequent buyback scheme saw a significant number of assault weapons handed over to the police.