New Zealand gunman stormed construction site, killing multiple people, injuring others: police

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At least two people were killed and five others – including a police officer – were injured Thursday after a gunman stormed a construction site in downtown Auckland, New Zealand.

The shooting came as the nation was preparing to host games in the FIFA Women's World Cup tournament. 

New Zealand police the injured officer was taken to a hospital in critical condition and had stabilized. 

An armed New Zealand police officer stands at a road block in the central business district following a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, July 20, 2023.  (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Police said the shooting unfolded around 7:20 a.m. when a man opened fire at a construction site on lower Queen Street. 

Acting Police Superintendent Sunny Patel said the offender moved through the building site and continued to discharge his firearm, police said. After reaching the building’s upper levels, the gunman contained himself in an elevator. The gunman fired additional rounds and was located deceased a short time later, police said. 

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It wasn't immediately clear if police shot the gunman or if he killed himself. The victims had injuries ranging from moderate to critical, but it wasn't immediately clear how they were injured.

Police described it as a "significant incident" and were urging people to avoid the area or stay inside their buildings if already there. 

An armed New Zealand police officer stands at a road block in the central business district following a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, July 20, 2023.  (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

"What has unfolded is understandably alarming and we are reassuring the public that this incident has been contained and is an isolated incident," police said. 

The incident came as many soccer teams were gathering in New Zealand for the FIFA Women's World Cup. The opening match is scheduled for Thursday between New Zealand and Norway.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the World Cup will proceed despite the shooting. 

"Clearly with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland," Hipkins said. "The government has spoken to FIFA organizers this morning and the tournament will proceed as planned."

"I want to reiterate that there is no wider national security threat. This appears to be the action of one individual."

He said the shooter had been armed with a pump-action shotgun and that police arrived one minute after the first emergency call and ran into harm's way to save lives. 

"These kinds of situations move fast and the actions of those who risk their lives to save others are nothing short of heroic," Hipkins said.

New Zealand banned assault weapons in 2019, weeks after a gunman slaughtered 51 people at two mosques in the city of Christchurch during the nation's worst mass shooting.

A subsequent buyback scheme saw gun owners hand over more than 50,000 AR-15-style rifles and other assault weapons to police.

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The ban does not include all semi-automatic weapons. Hipkins said it wasn't immediately clear if the weapon the gunman used would have been covered by the ban.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.