emergencies
Before Women’s World Cup: Three dead after shooting in Auckland
Armed New Zealand police officers stand at a roadblock after gunfire rang out in Auckland. photo
© Abbie Parr/AP
A man shot dead two people in Auckland hours before the opening of the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand. Some football teams were very close by. What was the perpetrator’s motive?
Shortly before the start of the Women’s World Cup, a gunman in New Zealand Auckland opened fire at a construction site, killing at least two people. The shooter himself was also dead, police said. Other people were injured.
The incident took place in the metropolitan business center not far from the fan base of the Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20. FIFA announced that the opening game in the largest city in the Pacific state will take place today as planned. New Zealand will take on Norway at Auckland’s Eden Park.
FIFA sends its condolences
FIFA expressed its “deepest condolences” to the families of the victims. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura were in contact with the New Zealand authorities immediately after the incident. Several teams that were close to the scene of the crime are all doing well, said New Zealand Sports Minister Grant Robertson.
The shooter first moved through the building under construction and fired more shots. Eventually, he retreated into an elevator shaft, Police Inspector Sunny Patel said. Local officials tried to communicate with the man. But he fired more shots and was found dead a short time later.
Prime Minister Hipkins: “Very Concerned”
“Events are understandably alarming and we reassure the public that this incident is under control and is an isolated incident,” Patel said in a statement. It is not a national security risk.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said he was “very concerned” after the incident. Six other people were injured, including police officers, the prime minister said, adding: “I want to thank the brave men and women of the New Zealand police who ran into the line of fire, in the midst of danger, to save the lives of others. “
The motive for the crime was still unclear. According to the prime minister, the police have so far not been able to identify any ideological or political motivation. Apparently it was the act of an individual. Hipkins later wanted to visit the scene.