Summary
We are now ending our live coverage of the Auckland shooting. You can read our full story on the shooting here. Below is a summary of what happened:
Two people were killed and six injured by a gunman in a shooting at a building site in central Auckland on Thursday morning, hours before the Women’s World Cup was due to start in the city. The shooter later died, in circumstances that are unclear. The shooting was not politically or ideologically motivated, New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins said. At least one police officer was among those injured during an exchange of fire.
The offender was the subject of a home detention sentence, but had an exemption to work at the building site where the shooting occurred, New Zealand police commissioner Andrew Coster said. “The individual is known for primarily family violence history,” he said. He said there were “indications of mental health history” but that there was no evidence he was of high lethal risk and that his previous offences did not suggest he posed this kind of threat. Police did not identify the gunman, saying only that he was 24 and died after isolating himself in an elevator shaft at the top of the building site.
The shooting occurred as the Fifa Women’s World Cup was due to begin in Auckland on Thursday night, with a match between New Zealand and Norway. Players staying in hotels nearby described their experiences as the shooting unfolded. Authorities said the tournament would proceed as planned and that there was no threat. “Aucklanders and those watching around the world can be assured that the police have neutralised the threat and that they are not seeking anybody else,” Hipkins said.
The gunman was armed with a pump-action shotgun. “He moved through the building site and discharged his firearm. Upon reaching the upper levels of the building the man contained himself in an elevator and Police engaged with him, shots were fired and he was located a short time later,” the prime minister said.
Police said it was safe for members of the public to return to the city centre. “Police are reassuring the public that they can continue to come into the CBD,” New Zealand police said, with the security cordon lifted several hours after the shooting.
The organisers of the Fifa Fan Festival are waiting for further advice from the police before deciding when to open. The Fan Festival was meant to have opened at midday local time. There would be an update at 2pm, the organisers said.
In a second press conference later on Thursday, Hipkins said police will investigate how the shooter managed to get hold of a gun despite not having a licence. They will look to see if “red flags that could have identified something earlier,” he said. He expressed his condolences for the families of those killed. “The whole nation is mourning with you.”
He reiterated that it was safe to go to the World Cup match tonight, and that he would be there himself.
Updated
Hipkins reiterates that it is safe to go to the FIFA match tonight. He will be going and it is safe to go, he says.
