A Man has reportedly killed 2 people in New Zealand on eve of Women’s World Cup soccer tournament
New Zealand — On Thursday, a shooter killed two people at a construction site in New Zealand’s largest city of Auckland during preparations for the FIFA Women’s World Cup matches, authorities said. Police said the incident also left several people injured near the hotel where the Norwegian team was staying.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the Games will go ahead as scheduled. “There seems to be a lot of focus on Auckland as the FIFA World Cup starts tonight,” said Hipkins. “The government has spoken with FIFA organizers this morning and the tournament will go ahead as scheduled. I would like to reiterate that there is no greater threat to national security. This seems to be an individual act. ”
Deputy Chief of Police Sunny Patel said the man started shooting at a location down Queen Street around 7 pm.
8:00 pm: Police storm the area and block the road.
Patel said the man walked around the building and shot people inside. “When the man reached the upper floors of the building, he was caught in an elevator shaft and staff attempted to contact him,” Patel said in a statement. “The man was then shot and found dead a short time later.”
It is unclear at this time whether police shot the attacker or committed suicide. Patel said the incident, while alarming, was isolated and did not pose a threat to national security. The incident happened as the football team was gathering in New Zealand for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The opener is scheduled for Thursday between New Zealand and Norway.
Norwegian team captain Maren Mierde said people immediately woke up when the helicopter started hovering in front of their hotel window. “We felt safe the whole time,” she said in her statement. “FIFA has a good security system in the hotel and the team has its own security personnel. Everyone seems calm and ready for tonight’s game as usual.”
