At least three people, including the gunman, were killed in a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, on Thursday. This is reported by the police. The Women’s Football World Cup starts in Auckland today (09:00 Dutch time), but according to New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins there is no question of a national threat.
According to police, two people and the gunman were killed, Hipkins also confirmed “with deep sadness.” In addition, at least six people were injured, including a police officer. Three of the injured are in serious condition. This is reported by the local authorities.
A 24-year-old gunman broke into a building being renovated in Auckland’s business district at around 7:20 am local time. There were according to the New Zealand Herald at that time 180 people at work. The location is close to several venues linked to the Women’s World Cup, which kicks off on Thursday. For example, the fan zone is nearby, but also the hotel of, among others, the Norwegian and Filipino players.
Norway will play the opening match of the World Cup against home country New Zealand at 9 a.m. Dutch time in Auckland’s Eden Park. According to Hipkins, the opening of the World Cup can go according to plan now that the situation is under control and there were no “political or ideological motives” behind the shooting: “There is no national security risk.”
The New Zealand Prime Minister thanked “the brave men and women of the New Zealand Police”. The police helicopter was airborne within three minutes of the emergency call, Hipkins said. The police arrived eleven minutes after the call.
The 24-year-old man walked through the building after entering and continued to fire shots in the meantime. After reaching the top floor, he hid in an elevator shaft. The police tried to contact him. “The man fired more shots and a short time later he was found dead,” said Hipkins. Construction workers who were renovating the building hid on the roof. It is not yet known how the shooter died.
The suspect was under house arrest after domestic violence and was already wearing an ankle bracelet. Normally, convicts must remain at their home address in that case, but there may be provisions that allow people to continue their work in designated places.
World Cup opening match
Norwegian captain Maren Mjelde said that preparation for the opening game will be normal for the team. Mjelde said in a short statement that the players were awakened by helicopters at their hotel. Through television and local media, they found out what was going on. “We felt safe all the time,” said the player who plays for English champions Chelsea.
The Orange Lionesses are currently also in New Zealand for the World Cup. They are located in Tauranga, about a three-hour drive and a forty-minute flight from Auckland. The three group matches of the Netherlands will all be played in New Zealand. The first (July 23) and third (August 1), against Portugal and Vietnam respectively, in Dunedin. The second (July 27) against the United States in the capital Wellington.
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and don’t miss a thing of the stars.