Auckland shooting today: Gunman who killed two in New Zealand was being monitored for domestic violence

National football teams have begun to issue reports around the safety of players and staff, following a shooting in Auckland just hours before the start of the Women’s World Cup.

Ahead of the opening match between hosts New Zealand and opponents Norway in Auckland, a gunman was found dead after killing two people and injuring multiple others in the city on Thursday (20 July).

The shooting took place at a building site in Auckland city centre.

Officials say the tournament will continue as planned.

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

“At this stage we can confirm two people have died,” Auckland police said in a statement. “The male offender is also deceased.”

The shooting took place on Thursday at a building site in the Auckland city centre on lower Queen Street, according to police.

“The offender has moved through the building site and continued to discharge his firearm. Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the male has contained himself within the elevator shaft and our staff have attempted to engage with him,” police said in a statement.

More details in our full story.

New Zealand police have confirmed that at least five people, including a police officer, were injured during a shooting on Thursday in downtown Auckland.

“Police can confirm an officer has been injured, as well as four members of the public at this stage,” officials said in a statement on Twitter. “The Police officer was transported to hospital in a critical condition, but we can advise his condition has stabilised.”

Officials are reacting to the shooting that took place Thursday morning at a construction site in Auckland, New Zealand.

“Like all Kiwis, I’ve been following the serious situation that unfolded in downtown Auckland this morning. My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those killed and injured, and all who have been affected by this tragedy,” Christopher Luxon, leader of the National Party, wrote on Twitter on Thursday.

“I want to acknowledge the bravery of Police and thank them and all first responders for their commitment on the frontline,” he added. “We will know more as the day unfolds – but for now we must do what Kiwis do best: come together and support people who have been affected in this terrible incident.”

Doug Emhoff, husband of US vice-president Kamala Harris, is among the dignitaries heading to New Zealand for the opening of the Women’s World Cup on Thursday.

New details have emerged about the man behind the Thursday morning shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, that killed two people and injured at least six others.

The perpetrator, who also died in the shooting, was reportedly a 24-year-old on home detention for domestic violence charges and subject to electronic monitoring, according to The New Zeland Herald.

He had previously been sentenced to five months’ home detention on charges of impeding breathing, injuring with intent to injure, wilful damage, and male assaults female.

Downtown Auckland was on high alert Thursday morning after a gunman killed two people and injured six others in a shooting at a building under construction.

Photos captured a large police presence around the Queen Street building where the shooting took place, as well as near downtown hotels where Women’s World Cup teams are staying.

As police services swarm downtown Auckland following a Thursday morning shooting, the heightened security is impacting some of the teams in the upcoming Women’s World Cup.

The Italian national team’s training has been delayed because its players can’t leave their hotel, Reuters reports.

New Zealand Prime Minster Chris Hipkins said on Thursday the Women’s World Cup tournament would go ahead as planned, despite the shooting in downtown Auckland.

“Clearly with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland,” Hipkins said on Thursday. “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.”

National football teams have begun to issue reports around the safety of players and staff, following a shooting in Auckland just hours before the start of the Women’s World Cup.

The shooting took place at a building site in Auckland city centre.

New Zealand Football issued a statement on social media, writing: “New Zealand Football are shocked by the incident in Auckland CBD this morning. We can confirm that all of the Football Ferns team and staff are safe but we will not be able to comment further while details are still emerging.

Alex Pattle reports for The Independent.