Gunman kills two in Auckland hours before FIFA Women’s WC opening game
Auckland (New Zealand), July 20: Two people were killed and six others were injured in Auckland after a gunman opened fire before being shot down by police, according to The Washington Post, citing officials.
The incident occurred about 12 hours before the opening game of the FIFA Women's World Cup. According to police, the gunman entered the construction site on Lower Queen Street, near a major train station and ferry terminal, as well as hotels and a popular mall, at around 7:30 a.m. (local time) and began firing shots as he made his way up through the building.
According to officials, the gunman has also been killed.
“Police have contained a serious incident that unfolded at a construction site in Auckland’s CBD this morning. Multiple injuries have been reported and at this stage, we can confirm two people have died. The male offender is also deceased,” New Zealand Police said.
In response to the incident, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins stated that the women's World Cup will begin on Thursday as planned.
"We have been in regular contact with FIFA, and they are proceeding as planned," Hipkins told reporters, according to the Washington Post.
"The assessment from officials is that there is no national security risk," he said, emphasizing that no political or ideological objective for the shooting was known.
Meanwhile, the World Cup gets underway Thursday night with a match between New Zealand and Norway.
More than 40,000 people, a sell-out crowd, are expected at Eden Park Stadium on Thursday night to watch New Zealand face Norway.
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- ANI
