In a tragic incident, two individuals lost their lives and five others sustained injuries when a gunman entered a construction site in Auckland, New Zealand. This devastating act occurred just hours before the kickoff of the Women’s World Cup soccer match. The authorities have confirmed that the gunman was later killed, and a police officer was among those injured. The attacker was believed to be a 24-year-old who had previously worked at the site and was under a home detention order. He had a history of domestic violence and possible mental health issues.
The shooting took place near the venue where teams from New Zealand and Norway were scheduled to play their match. Many World Cup teams and fans were staying in the area, including the United States team. Fortunately, all players and staff were reported to be safe, and the matches would proceed as planned.
The shooting incident cast a shadow over the event, with a minute of silence held before the New Zealand-Norway match to honor the victims. The police were alerted to the shooting early in the morning, and the gunman proceeded to move through the building, firing gunshots as he went. The downtown area where the incident occurred was swiftly cordoned off, causing disruption in the city.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins confirmed that the shooter had acted alone and possessed a pump-action shotgun. The police engaged with the gunman on the upper floors of the building, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. The gunman was eventually found deceased in an elevator shaft, but it is unclear whether he was killed by the police. The construction workers who had hidden during the shooting were later released, and a review of the suspect’s handling during home detention is pending.
Despite the tragedy, the Women’s World Cup would proceed as planned, according to FIFA. The authorities will also investigate how the gunman obtained the firearm, highlighting the need to review existing gun laws.
Norway’s soccer team was unaffected by the incident, as the players were in their hotel when the shooting took place. Security measures were implemented to ensure their safety. This shooting marks a significant incident in New Zealand since the country implemented stricter gun laws following the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. Gun ownership in New Zealand is relatively low, making gun violence uncommon.
This report was written by Juliet Macur and Andrew Das, reporting from Auckland, New Zealand, and Yan Zhuang from Sydney, Australia, with contributions from Tariq Panja in Sydney, Australia.
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