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.
Police are going to 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 says.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is speaking now.
He expresses his condolences for the families of those killed. “The whole nation is mourning with you,” he says.
We’re expecting New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to speak at 5pm local time –ten minutes from now.
Updated
Jerome Hisus, originally from the Philippines, told The Guardian’s Anna Rankin that many of the construction workers on the site where the shooting happened were Filipino.
“They told me they had seen firing from a gun, one man had seen the gunman and told me someone had fallen on the stairs—maybe he had been shot. They were speaking Filipino so I was able to figure out what was going on.”
The Guardian’s Anna Rankin is on the ground in Auckland and has spoken to witnesses:
Truck drivers for a manufacturing company, Jerome Hisus and Christina Tuala, arrived this morning at a building adjacent to the site of the shooting to deliver joinery supplies for a store fit-out. The pair finished unloading at around 7:30 am when shots rang out above, prompting streams of workers to flee the building en masse.
They could see three men cowering in a corner, Tuala said.
First we heard two gunshots, we had closed up our truck, and everyone started running. We looked up and saw two men crouching, cowering in the corner, and one lying down, we thought he had been shot. We got escorted out and could see another ten people in the building, trapped in there.
We didn’t know why people were running at first. There were about 50 workers, and what seemed like hundreds as we were escorted across the road. People were yelling to get out, police and security were helping to push people behind buildings, or anything hard, because the shooting was happening.”
US Ambassador Tom Udall has expressed his condolences, saying, “Jill and I, alongside our U.S. whānau, are heartbroken by the senseless tragic event that took place in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland this morning. Sending our deepest thoughts and aroha to everyone affected, their families, and the entire community. Kia kaha.”
Jill and I, alongside our U.S. whānau, are heartbroken by the senseless tragic event that took place in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland this morning. Sending our deepest thoughts and aroha to everyone affected, their families, and the entire community. Kia kaha.
— Ambassador Tom Udall 🇺🇸 (@USAmbNZ) July 20, 2023
US player: 'We've dealt with this far too many times'
Lynn Williams, of the US women’s football team, have spoken at a press conference ahead of the World Cup’s opening, Stuff.NZ reports.
“Unfortunately, in the US, it feels like we’ve dealt with this far too many times,” she said.
Updated
New Zealand governor general 'deeply shocked'
Governor general Cindy Kiro has released a statement:
I was deeply shocked to learn of the shooting incident in Auckland this morning. My husband and I extend our sincerest sympathy to the families of the victims. Successive Governors-General have had close relationships with NZ Police, and we admire their bravery and share their concern for their wounded colleague. As Prior of the Order of St John, I also commend the courage of the first responders to the scene. I know we speak for all New Zealanders in expressing our aroha to everyone who has been impacted by this terrible event.
Updated
The property company that owns the building where the incident occurred has issued a statement, Stuff.NZ reports.
The chief executive of Scott Pritchard, Precinct Properties, who own 1 Queen St, said:
“On behalf of Precinct Properties, I would like to extend our sincere condolences to the families of the victims following this morning’s tragic incident. Our thoughts are also with those workers onsite who were involved in today’s traumatic events.”
“We are deeply shocked and saddened that this occurred on our 1 Queen Street construction site, and I would like to thank the Emergency Services who bravely responded,” chief executive Scott Pritchard said.
He said the site will be closed until advised by the police.
Updated
A little bit more detail about the Fifa Fan Festival at The Cloud, which will not open today as planned.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, the Office of the Mayor and Auckland Council said in a statement that, out of respect for the dead and those affected by the shooting, it would cancel festivities at the Queens Wharf but that it would be open at midday on Friday.
Summary
Here is what we know so far about today’s events:
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.
The Fan Festival will be closed, “out of deep respect for those who lost their lives and those affected in downtown Auckland today”, organisers said.
Meanwhile all of the cities roads are now open.
The FIFA Fan Festival in Auckland will remain closed today, organisers have said.
Here is New Zealand police commissioner Andrew Coster addressing the media after the shooting:
The New Zealand police have published the full statement from Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. You can read it here.
We’re expecting New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins to release a statement shortly.
Here is our full summary of what happened today:
Too early to say whether Prime Minister will meet with families of the victims, says Deputy PM
Speaking in New Zealand’s parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni said that it was too early to say whether the Prime Minister would meet the families of the people killed in today’s shooting, the New Zealand Herald reports.
“To think that people had gone to work this morning in the CBD and this is what they’d encountered – absolutely shocking.”
“We can only imagine what they are going through at the moment. We share in the sadness and like them we will be awaiting more updates from the investigation.”
She also spoke more about the shooter’s history.
“And, despite some family harm history, there was nothing to suggest something of this nature would happen. They have also been clear that they had done searches of the house and never come across any firearms. So that is the information we have.”
“Clearly he didn’t have a firearms license, but they searched, they didn’t come across any firearms.”
Some Auckland roads are still closed, the city’s transport authority says. It has published this map:
UPDATE - 2:00PM
— Auckland Transport Travel Alerts (@AT_TravelAlerts) July 20, 2023
Please see the latest information pictured below for cordons involving Quay St, Lower Albert St and Queen St. Continue to avoid the area and expect delays. https://t.co/Pv1hItsQs3 pic.twitter.com/fm1JkoB114
Apologies, that was not Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni. Her comments from parliament shortly.
Updated
The New Zealand Herald reports that a Parliamentary hearing on a petition to allow gun club members to own banned semi-automatic rifles for competition, which had been due to take place this afternoon, has been cancelled.
The petitioner is the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners, and the committee was also due to hear from the Pistol New Zealand and the New Zealand Police.
“Petitions Committee chair and National MP Jacqui Dean told the Herald it was cancelled due to sensitivities over this morning’s shooting incident and would be scheduled for a later date,” the Herald reports.
What we know so far
Three people were killed, including a gunman, and six injured, in a shooting in downtown Auckland on Thursday morning. The shooting was not politically or ideologically motivated, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said. At least one police officer was among those injured.
The offender was the subject of home detention, but had an exception to work at the site, 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. The gunman, 24, killed two people before he died, either due to police fire or by shooting himself.
The offender did not have a gun license. He is believed to have used a shotgun.
The police officer injured was shot during an exchange of fire with the gunman. He is in a stable condition and is expected to have surgery today.
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.
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 in relation to the incident,” Hipkins said.
The gunman was armed with a 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,” Hipkins said.
Police said it was safe for members of the public to return to the CBD. “Police are reassuring the public that they can continue to come into the CBD,” the New Zealand police aid on Twitter. “However, if there is anyone who was involved or witnessed today’s events, and they haven’t made themselves known to Police, we ask that you please contact us via 105 as soon as you can.”
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.
Norway is due to play tonight against New Zealand at the world cup opener. The team’s hotel is located 300-400 metres from where the shooting occurred. The team’s captain, Maren Mjelde, said, “We felt safe the whole time. FIFA has a good security system at the hotel, and we have our own security officer in the squad.”
Updated
He says five ambulances and four rapid response vehicles, as well as support and command units, were sent to the scene.
The head of operations for St John ambulance, Stuart Cockburn, is speaking now.
Coster says he is “incredibly proud of the actions our staff took” and that “their willingness to go in there and sort it out is outstanding.”
Updated
There have been “indications of mental health history” in the offender, but, Coster said earlier, there was no evidence he was of high lethal risk.
Those shot were shot while on the lower levels of the buildings, Coster says.
The injured officer was shot during the exchange of fire while the offender was in the elevator well, he says. The officer is expected to have surgery today.
Offender had history of family violence, say police
The offender was the subject of home detention, but had an exception to work at the site, Coster said.
“The individual is known for primarily family violence history,” he says.
He adds that he believes there were “indications of mental health history” in the offender, 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.
The gunman, 24, killed two people before he died, either due to police fire or by shooting himself.
Updated
Coster is asked whether he knows if the offender was killed in the exchange of fire or shot himself.
Coster says that is not known at this time.
The individual did not have a firearms license, he was believed to be using a shotgun.
Police remain satisfied that there is no risk to the public, says Coster.
The four members of the public injured have wounds ranging from moderate to serious, says Coster.
The offender has not been formally identified.
However they believe he is a 24-year-old male who was employed at the construction site where the shooting occurred.
Updated
New Zealand Police commissioner Andrew Coster is speaking now in Auckland.
He extends his sympathies to the families of those killed.
“I’ve had an update from the investigation team… at 7.22am police received multiple emergency calls,” he says. “Police were on the scene within minutes.”
The offender made his way up through the building site discharging his firearm multiple times.
At around 8am the offender was located inside an elevator shaft. The offender fired at police, injuring an officer.
“Shots were discharged and the offender was later found deceased,” he says.
The TYLA Youth Development Trust worked with the gunman in 2017, Jolene Cartwright, the organisation’s co-general manager has told Stuff.NZ.
“We just found out and are still dealing with the situation. Our thoughts go out to everyone involved in the tragic situation that’s unfolded,” Cartwright said.
Here is our story on how the shooting has impacted Women’s World Cup players:
The New Zealand Herald reports that police at the scene are removing parts of the cordon blocking and that the first public vehicles have been allowed through.
The US team, who are also based in an Auckland hotel within walking distance of the incident, are due to front the media later today, with star players Crystal Dunn and Lynn Williams scheduled to appear.
Gun violence is a topic that has been addressed in the past by members of the women’s national team, including Megan Rapinoe, who has been vocal in her support of gun control laws in her home country.
FIFA has released a statement:
FIFA extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the incident which occurred this morning in Auckland, New Zealand, and our thoughts and prayers remain with those who have been injured in this tragic incident.
Immediately following the incident, President Gianni Infantino and FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura were in communication with the New Zealand authorities.
FIFA has also been in constant contact with the participating teams affected by this incident.
FIFA has been informed that this was an isolated incident that was not related to football operations and the opening match tonight at Eden Park will proceed as planned.
The opening hours of the FIFA Fan Festival in Auckland city centre will be confirmed in due course.
The participating teams in close proximity to this incident are being supported in relation to any impact that may have taken place.
We’re expecting to hear from New Zealand Police commissioner Andrew Coster at 1pm local time – fifteen minutes from now.
Updated
Australia and New Zealand will open the ninth Women’s World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the two nations ,later today – despite the shooting near the Norwegian team hotel in Auckland that left three dead and six injured.
New Zealand’s Football Ferns will open the tournament as planned at Eden Park in the city against Norway on Thursday at 7pm local time (0700 GMT), in what is likely to surpass the host nation’s previous biggest crowd for an international soccer match.
Here is footage of the police operation this morning:
Here is a video or New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins’s press conference earlier.
Hipkins confirmed that a gunman killed two people and injured at least six others, including police, at a building site in Auckland on the day of the opening of the Women’s World Cup:
Safe for public to be in CBD, say NZ Police
“Police are reassuring the public that they can continue to come into the CBD,” the New Zealand police have just said on Twitter.
“However, if there is anyone who was involved or witnessed today’s events, and they haven’t made themselves known to Police, we ask that you please contact us via 105 as soon as you can.”
Police are reassuring the public that they can continue to come into the CBD.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 20, 2023
However, please stay clear of the Police cordon at the lower part of Queen Street while our work continues at the scene.
Police are in the process of speaking to the large number of witnesses.
Officer was transported to hospital in critical condition, say NZ Police
The New Zealand Police have released further information about the shooting.
“Police can confirm an officer has been injured, as well as four members of the public at this stage. The Police officer was transported to hospital in a critical condition, but we can advise his condition has stabilised,” they said on Twitter.
Police can confirm an officer has been injured, as well as four members of the public at this stage.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 20, 2023
The Police officer was transported to hospital in a critical condition, but we can advise his condition has stabilised. pic.twitter.com/dXjxKiOhTZ
“As we have previously advised this is not a national security risk. Police are liaising with the families of the victims, including that of the deceased, and we have engaged with Victim Support. Support is in place for our officer.”
This map shows where the shooting occurred. It is a seven minute walk from the Cloud, where the FIFA Fan Festival – a place where people can watch match broadcasts together – is due to take place.
Updated
Opening of FIFA Fan Festival delayed
Stuff.NZ reports that 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 a few minutes ago, at midday. There will be an update at 2pm, the organisers said.
“All seems calm, and we are preparing as normal for the match tonight,” Norway captain Maren Mjelde told Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang while the police operation was underway.
Norway plays New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament at Eden Park in Auckland later on Thursday.
A construction worker who was at the building when the shootings occurred has spoken to the New Zealand Herald.
He said that he hid on one floor of the building before moving towards the top of thr tower. Then a fire alarm sounded, and workers started to walk down the building’s stairs.
“An armed man in a dark jacket came up and shouted for them to get up to the roof or he would shoot them,” the Herald reports.
The man said he was shaken, and that he had heard multiple gunshots being fired.
The US Soccer team have released a new statement saying:
US Soccer extends its deepest condolences to the families of the victims who were killed in the shooting in downtown Auckland today.
We are saddened by the inexcusable loss of life to gun violence, and our thoughts are with the people of Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau and Aotearoa New Zealand.
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has spoken about the shooting, Stuff.NZ reports, saying, “While the details of the victims have not yet been confirmed, I want to express my condolences to their families. I also want express sympathy for those in the construction industry and commuters who will be feeling on edge following this incident.”
Football Australia’s head of marketing, Peter Filopoulos, has said on Twitter that Australia stands with New Zealand.
“Deeply saddened by the shocking incident in Auckland. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families in these difficult times. As a peace-loving nation, we stand with New Zealand in solidarity. The situation seems to be contained now, thanks to NZ authorities. This incident is unrelated to the Women’s World Cup. Stay safe everyone,” he said.
Deeply saddened by the shocking incident in Auckland. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families in these difficult times. As a peace-loving nation, we stand with New Zealand in solidarity. The situation seems to be contained now, thanks to NZ authorities.…
— Peter Filopoulos (@peterfilopoulos) July 19, 2023
The US Embassy has confirmed that Douglas Emhoff, the husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris, who is leading the presidential delegation to New Zealand to attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup, is safe.
Updated
Former NZ international player Maia Jackson told the NZ Herald she was nearby when the shooting happened.
“It’s pretty scary actually. So they pushed us to the back of The Cloud where we are and we’re just trying to keep sane,” she said.
“There’s lots of security and lots of uncertainty.”
Updated
Here are some pictures following the shooting this morning:
New Zealand Football said it was “shocked by the incident” and that New Zealand’s women’s team, the Football Ferns “are safe”.
New Zealand Football are shocked by the incident in Auckland CBD this morning. We can confirm that all of the Football Ferns team and staff are safe but we will not be able to comment further while details are still emerging. [1/2]
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) July 19, 2023
Acting Police Superintendent Sunny Patel has given a little more detail about how the shooting occurred, the New Zealand Herald reports.
“The offender has moved through the building site and continued to discharge his firearm. Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the male has contained himself within the elevator shaft and our staff have attempted to engage with him,” Patel said.
“Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later.”
Updated
Auckland Central MP Chloë Swarbrick says, “Deepest condolences to those who have lost loved ones and to those who experienced this terrifying incident this morning on the construction site.
”Our gratitude to our frontline emergency workers who with great skill and care worked to contain the situation and keep the public informed. We will continue to be guided by their expertise.”
New Zealand Nationals leader Christopher Luxon says, “We will know more as the day unfolds - but for now we must do what Kiwis do best: come together and support people who have been affected in this terrible incident.”
Like all Kiwis, I’ve been following the serious situation that unfolded in downtown Auckland this morning.
— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) July 19, 2023
My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those killed and injured, and all who have been affected by this tragedy.
I want to acknowledge the bravery of Police…
Norway team captain 'We felt safe the whole time'
Norway is due to play tonight against New Zealand at the world cup opener. As we’ve just heard, the team’s hotel is located fairly close to where the shooting occurred.
The team’s captain, Maren Mjelde, says, “Everyone probably woke up quite quickly when the helicopter hovered outside the hotel window and a large number of emergency vehicles arrived.”
“At first we didn’t know what was going on, but eventually there were updates on TV and the local media.
“We felt safe the whole time. FIFA has a good security system at the hotel, and we have our own security officer in the squad.
”Everyone seems calm and we are preparing as normal for the game tonight. Then we may have to adapt if there are any instructions from the authorities.”
Updated
Norway Women’s Football Team Head of Communications Halvor Lea has said in a statement that, “Team Norway lives 3-400 m from the incident, and is not affected. Everything is calm in the Norwegian squad, which is eating breakfast right now. Preparations are going as normal.”
Updated
What we know so far
Three people were killed, including a gunman, and six injured, in a shooting in downtown Auckland on Thursday morning. The shooting was not politically or ideologically motivated, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said. At least one police officer was among those injured.
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.
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 in relation to the incident,” 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,” Hipkins said.
Aucklanders were urged to stay home. “This is a scary situation for Aucklanders on their Thursday morning commute to work. Please stay at home, avoid travel into the city centre,” Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said in a tweet. Several streets in Auckland have been cordoned off, all ferry services into the city have been cancelled while buses running through some areas of the will be detoured, authorities said.
Updated
That press conference is now over.
Here is what Hipkins said earlier about the timing of the police arrivals at the scene:
This morning at 7.23am a witness called Police to report witnessing a man with a gun shooting in central Auckland at a building on lower Queen Street.
At 7.34am Police arrived on the scene and the Armed Offenders Squad was there four minutes later.
…
The offender was armed with a pump action shot gun.
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.
Hipkins was at the airport when he heard about the incident, he says, he tried to confirm as much information as he could while there and then made the decision to return to parliament.
His initial reaction was concern for anybody was at risk.
“I know from my work with them as minister for police the entire [force] feels this,” he says.
“We will all feel that, we will all send our love and support to the New Zealand police who are doing an amazing job,” he says.
Hipkins is responding to questions and says that the police and a helicopter arrived within minutes of each other, and could hear gunshots as they arrived.
The police commissioner will provide more detail in a briefing from Auckland later today.
New Zealand sports minister Grant Robertson has also spoken, and has confirmed the tournament will go ahead as planned.
He says that one team’s hotel is located close to where the shooting occurred.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, speaking now after the shooting in downtown Auckland, says the government has been in regular contact with FIFA.
The two people killed by the gunman were civilians, Hipkins says.
His understanding is that there “was no political or ideological motive for the shooting”, he says, when asked if it was an act of terrorism.
Tournament will proceed as planned
The tournament will proceed as planned, says Hipkins.
There is no national security threat. “This appears to be the actions of one individual.”
The incident comes as many football teams were gathering in New Zealand for the Women’s World Cup. The opening match is scheduled for Thursday between New Zealand and Norway.
“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 in relation to the incident,” Hipkins said.
“New Zealanders’ safety and the safety of our visitors is our first priorities.”
Updated
The man was armed with a pump-action shotgun, moving through the building before enclosing himself in an elevator, at which time shots were heard. The gunman was later found dead. It is unclear whether the gunman shot himself or police shot him.
Hipkins has thanked the police for entering the building while the shooting was ongoing.
Updated
Two civilians killed, six injured and gunman is dead, Hipkins confirms
Hipkins confirms that two people have been killed, six have been injured, including police, and the shooter is dead.
There is no national security risk, there is no change to New Zealand’s national security level.
Updated
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins has cancelled a trip to the city of Hamilton, about 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Auckland, and is on his way back to the national capital Wellington, media reports said.
He is speaking now.
Italy team’s training has been delayed as players cannot get out of their hotel, the team says.
Auckland mayor urges people to stay home
“This is a scary situation for Aucklanders on their Thursday morning commute to work. Please stay at home, avoid travel into the city centre,” Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown said in a tweet.
Several streets in Auckland have been cordoned off, all ferry services into the city have been cancelled while buses running through some areas of the will be detoured, authorities said.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins is due to speak any minute from parliament. We will be bringing you the latest as it happens.
The US football team has tweeted to say that they are safe. “All our USWNT players and staff are accounted for and safe,” the team said on Twitter.
Regarding the incident in downtown Auckland, all of our USWNT players and staff are accounted for and safe. Our security team is in communication with local authorities and we are proceeding with our daily schedule. https://t.co/m1ziO6j8c5
— U.S. Soccer Comms (@ussoccer_comms) July 19, 2023
The downtown shooting comes as teams are preparing for the opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The first match, scheduled for this evening, is between New Zealand and Norway.
Updated
We’re expecting the New Zealand police to hold a press conference in 10 minutes’ time about the shooting – New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will also be speaking.
Updated
Among the six people who have been confirmed injured, three have serious injuries, according to New Zealand’s ambulance service, St John.
Incident 'contained' say New Zealand Police
This is Helen Sullivan bringing you the latest updates from New Zealand, where at least two people are dead in a shooting in downtown Auckland.
The New Zealand Herald reports that at least six people have been injured, including a police officer, who was able to walk to an ambulance with assistance from colleagues.
Police described it as a “significant incident” but said the situation had been contained to a single building that was under construction in lower Queen Street. Police were urging people to avoid the area or stay inside their buildings if already there.
The incident comes as many football teams were gathering in New Zealand for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The opening match is scheduled for Thursday between New Zealand and Norway.
Updated
The offender has moved through the building site and continued to discharge his firearm.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 19, 2023
Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the male has contained himself within the elevator shaft and our staff have attempted to engage with him.
Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 19, 2023
Details around what has exactly occurred are still emerging and Police will continue to provide updates around injuries and the circumstances.
Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 19, 2023
Details around what has exactly occurred are still emerging and Police will continue to provide updates around injuries and the circumstances.
Updated
Gunman is dead, say police
This blog will bring you the latest updates about the fatal shooting in Auckland on Thursday.
New Zealand police have contained the serious shooting that unfolded at a construction site in Auckland’s city. They have reported multiple injuries and confirmed two people are dead along with the gunman.
This incident unfolded after reports of a person discharging a firearm inside the site on lower Queen Street at around 7.22am.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 19, 2023
A significant number of Police responded and cordoned off the area. The Police Eagle helicopter was also deployed and provided oversight.
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