New Zealand Police: At Least 2 Dead, Multiple Injured After Gunman Attacks Construction Site
22:25 GMT 19.07.2023 (Updated: 23:44 GMT 19.07.2023)
© AP Photo / Abbie Parr
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Authorities in New Zealand have underscored that the shooting incident is not being considered a national security matter at present. The shooting attack took place as a World Cup match was scheduled to take place later Thursday not far from the site.
New Zealand Police confirmed that at least two people were killed early Thursday after a gunman attacked a construction site in downtown Auckland.
A statement released by authorities did not specify but indicated that "multiple injuries" were reported at the scene, adding that the "male offender is also deceased." Media reports speculated the injured tally stands at six persons, with a police officer being among the wounded.
Police detailed that reports of a shooting at a Deloitte construction site on Iower Queen Street were first received by authorities at about 7:22 a.m. local time.
Officials explained the yet-to-be identified shooter continuously discharged "a pump action shotgun" as he made his way toward the upper levels of a building, and that the individual later "contained himself" inside an elevator shaft. Although investigators did attempt to speak with the gunman, police found the offender dead shortly after additional shots were fired by the suspect.
"Details around what has exactly occurred are still emerging and police will continue to provide updates around injuries and the circumstances," reads the statement. "What has unfolded is understandably alarming and we are reassuring the public that this incident has been contained and is an isolated incident. We can also advise that this is not a national security risk."
A motive has yet to be revealed by officials; however, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins detailed during a later news conference that there was no information to suggest political or ideological beliefs encouraged the act.
An estimated 100 construction workers were said to have run from the building, local media reported. The gunman was described as a 24-year-old who was reportedly wearing an electronic monitoring bracelet, which has yet to be confirmed by investigators.
Video from the scene showed multiple police cruisers cordoning off the area, with one recording reportedly capturing a moment in which gunshots were fired.
Active shooting incident in Auckland CBD. Here for the FIFA WWC, but what a dramatic shift. Just hours away from the opening match. @SkyNewsAust pic.twitter.com/yv1bgjyTYV
— Jessica Maggio (@jbmaggio) July 19, 2023
#BREAKING Mass shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, number of casualties is unknown pic.twitter.com/3e28PKlZcz
— Guy Elster (@guyelster) July 19, 2023
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown told local reporters the shooting incident was a "dreadful things to happen to our city at a time when the rest of the world's watching us over the football.
"This is not something that happens here; in fact, I'm shocked that it's happened here," he underscored.
The shooting comes hours before the first football match of the Women's World Cup, and reportedly took place near the hotel housing the Norwegian women's team for the tournament. It also took place just 100 meters from a World Cup fan zone area.
Hipkins detailed that despite the shooting incident, the football tournament would "proceed as planned."
