A shooter opened fire in a building under construction in downtown New Zealand on Thursday, a few hours before the start of the Women’s World Cup.
A shooting killed three people, including the shooter, in Auckland on Thursday July 20, the opening day of the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. The New Zealand government has decided not to change the schedule for the opening ceremony, which started as planned at 8:35 a.m. Thursday at Eden Park.
A man killed two people and injured five
The shooting took place Thursday morning, shortly after 7:22 a.m. (9:22 p.m. Wednesday in Paris) at a construction site in the central business district of Auckland. According to New Zealand police, “the author moved into the building” pulling “with his gun”before “lock yourself in the elevator shaft”. Police arrived at the scene “in a few minutes” and have “tried to engage in dialogue with him”. “Other shots were fired by the man”which injured a police officer, added the police.
The area was cordoned off for a few hours by the police, who had called on residents to stay at home. A helicopter was also deployed. Two deaths are confirmed by the authorities at this stage, in addition to that of the attacker. The police identify a police officer and four injured civilians.
Shooter dead, no other suspects wanted
The shooter was found dead in the elevator where he had barricaded himself. The police assure that the situation is now “mastered” and that she is not looking for any suspects. Only a small portion of Queen Street, the street near the tragedy, is still cordoned off to allow investigators to work. They must determine the circumstances of this shooting and formally identify the assailant.
According to the first information published by the police, it would be a 24-year-old man, who worked on the site where the tragedy occurred. The police are exploring the trail of a link between this shooting and his work. He had a criminal record, the Auckland Police Commissioner announced at a press conference on Thursday. A call for witnesses has also been launched by the authorities.
No disruption for the Women’s World Cup
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said there was no threat to national security and therefore announced that the FIFA Women’s World Cup, jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia, would start on Thursday morning as scheduled. “New Zealand’s national security threat level is not changed”said Chris Hipkins, assuring that “police have neutralized the threat and are not looking for anyone else in connection with” shooting. “The government has discussed with the organizers of the International Federation of Football Association (FIFA) and the tournament will take place”he added.
The police presence in central Auckland has been increased, local police said. “We assure the public that they can go to the CBD. There is no risk in attending the matches [du Mondial féminin de football]“said the Auckland Police Commissioner.
A minute of silence in honor of the victims
A minute’s silence was observed for the victims of the shooting before the start of the opening match between New Zealand and Norway in Auckland, as FIFA announced in a statement. Another minute of silence will be observed before Australia-Ireland scheduled for Thursday at 12 p.m. (French time) in Sidney.
The football federations and players present in Auckland for the World Cup, all safe and sound, also reacted. “That it happens on the opening day of the World Cup, it has an impactBlue defender Elisa De Almeida said at a press conference on Thursday. I want to offer my condolences to the families of the victims. We have confidence in FIFA for the organization of the event, and we hope that everything will go well.”
The Norwegian team’s hotel was near where the shooting took place, but its members were not injured and “everything is calm in the team”assured the Norwegian Football Federation. “New Zealand football is shocked by the incident in Auckland this morning,” said the New Zealand Federation, confirming that all team and staff are “safe and sound”.