Gun attack in Auckland: Two people were killed and six injured. The attacker is also dead
Horrific scenes in the New Zealand city of Auckland. Two people are dead and six injured after a 24-year-old opened fire in the city centre. Among those injured was a police officer. The attacker also died a short time later. The incident happened hours before the opening of the Women's World Cup. New Zealand's premier, Chris Hipkins, said there was no longer any risk to national security and the football tournament would go ahead as planned.
Emergency services moved quickly to the scene after receiving information that a man armed with a rifle had opened fire at a construction site. The suspect was under house arrest but had an exemption to work at the site where the shooting took place. In addition, the assailant had a history of domestic violence but posed no danger to society, authorities said. He also did not have a firearms permit. Witnesses recounted the horrific scenes they witnessed.
"Right at the entrance we saw about 20 people rushing out of the building and telling the others to leave. I asked those present what had happened and they told me they saw a guy with a rifle in his hand and he was aiming at people.";
"I was at the construction site when I wanted to ask what happened. I saw many police cars, ambulances and armed soldiers. From where I was, I heard a few shots."
"Actually, it was quite worrying. A lot of people gathered there, you could still hear gunshots. Everybody was panicking.";
"Everything was closed. There's cops everywhere. I didn't understand what was going on. When I wanted to go into the construction site I was told that everything was blocked, so I stayed here."
Local police said the shooting did not pose a risk to national security, but the event shocked and horrified city residents. Furthermore, after the building where the incident occurred was evacuated, a gun battle took place between police and the offender. The shooting resulted in one officer being wounded and the offender died.
"I want to acknowledge that this was a shocking and traumatic event for people who came to work and found themselves in the middle of an armed emergency. The building has now been evacuated and cordoned off. I want to acknowledge the courage of our staff who brave any danger to keep the public safe. I am very proud of their actions," said Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.
Shootings in New Zealand are relatively rare. That's after more restrictions on firearms were introduced in 2019 following a mass shooting that left 50 people dead.
