Two people were killed and several injured in Auckland, on the day of the Women’s World Cup kick-off in New Zealand

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Two people were killed and several others injured in a shooting Thursday morning in Auckland, New Zealand, according to officials.

“At this point we can confirm two deaths,” Oakland Police said in a statement. The male offender is also deceased.

Police said the shooting took place on Thursday at a building site in central Auckland on Lower Queen Street.

New Zealand Armed Police officers stand at a roadblock in the central business district after the shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, July 20, 2023.

(AP)

“The offender moved across the construction site and continued to fire his firearm. Upon reaching the upper floors of the building, the man trapped himself inside the elevator shaft and our staff attempted to engage him,” the police said in a statement.

More shots were fired from the male and his death was located shortly after.

The New Zealand Herald reported that a police officer was among at least six people injured in the shooting.

According to the newspaper, the 24-year-old gunman was under house arrest on charges of domestic violence, and was subject to electronic monitoring.

“I don’t remember anything like this happening in our beautiful city,” Oakland Mayor Wayne Brown said Thursday. “The events of this morning have been tragic and heartbreaking for all Oaklanders, because this is not something we are used to.”

Officials say the Women’s World Cup will go ahead as planned

(AP)

He added, “While the details of the victims have not yet been confirmed, I would like to express my condolences to their families.” “I also want to express my sympathy to those in the construction industry and the commuters who will be feeling distressed after this incident.”

The shooting took place on the same day as the Women’s World Cup in the country.

New Zealand Sports Minister Grant Robertson said the tournament would go ahead as planned.

“Aucklanders and observers around the world can be reassured that the police have neutralized the threat and that they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident,” Premier Chris Hepkins said at a news conference on Thursday.

Six people, including a police officer, were wounded in the shooting

(AP)

He added that according to police information at this point, the gunman was armed with a shotgun, and that officials believed there was “no political or ideological motive for the shooting.”

A bystander told 1 News that he was inside the building where the shooting took place and hid inside an office.

“We just heard a lot of gunfire, and then one of the guys walked out of the office and ran back inside,” the man said.

“We ran to the back of the building where I saw a bloodied hard hat. We could see the guy walking around with his gun.”

The teams that play in the tournament, where New Zealand will face Norway.

“Football New Zealand has been shocked by the incident at Auckland CBD this morning,” the team wrote on social media. “We can confirm that all of the Football Ferns team and team are safe but we will not be able to comment further while details are still emerging.”

Please refer to the New Zealand Police for more information. Preparations for tonight’s match at Eden Park will continue as planned.”

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