At least two people were killed and several others wounded in a shooting at a construction site in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city, on Thursday. The incident occurred just hours before the opening match of the women’s soccer World Cup in the same city.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins stated that the shooting appeared to be the actions of a 24-year-old male, believed to be an employee at the construction site. The armed attacker was also killed during the incident. According to the police, there is no indication of anyone else being involved in the shooting.
Emergency services, including ambulances and police cars, swiftly responded to the scene, and multiple streets were cordoned off. As a safety precaution, all ferry services into Auckland have been cancelled, and certain bus routes within the city will be detoured.
New Zealand is known for its relatively low rate of gun violence, partly due to stringent gun laws implemented after a mass shooting in Christchurch in 2019. During that tragic event, a gunman killed 51 Muslim worshippers, making it the country’s deadliest mass shooting during peacetime.
The authorities in Auckland are currently investigating the motive behind the recent shooting, and residents are urged to remain vigilant during this period of heightened tension.
