Auckland shooting – live: Women’s World Cup to go ahead as planned after gunman kills two in New Zealand
The Women’s World Cup will “proceed as planned” despite a mass shooting in Auckland that killed two people and wounded six. A gunman was found dead after killing two people and injuring multiple others in the city this morning. The shooting took place at a building site in Auckland city centre.
New Zealand prime minister Chris Hipkins said there was no risk to national security.
The 24-year-old gunman, who has not yet been named, was reportedly supposed to be on home confinement for domestic violence charges at the time of the shooting.
Record crowds are expected at Eden Park in the city where New Zealand‘s Football Ferns will open the tournament against Norway later on Thursday at 7pm local time.
“There was no identified political or ideological motivation for the shooting and therefore no national security risk,” Mr Hipkins said during a televised media briefing.
Key Points
Photos capture scene in downtown Auckland after shooting
Women’s World Cup will continue as planned, PM says
Women’s World Cup teams react to Auckland shooting on eve of tournament in New Zealand
Two dead and several wounded
US Embassy confirms that Doug Emhoff, husband of VP Kamala Harris, is safe
07:30 , Shweta Sharma
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.
The US Embassy confirmed Mr Emhoff is safe, following the shooting Thursday morning in downtown Auckland.
Why this Women’s World Cup will be unlike anything we’ve seen before
06:46 , Shweta Sharma
As the squads have been adjusting to Australia and New Zealand over the last few weeks, many coaches and staff members have been doing what the rest of the public does, bouncing around news stories about the different teams to see how they are doing.
It is the point at which an international tournament takes on that enticingly self-contained quality. All eyes still go to the USA, especially with this being Megan Rapinoe’s last World Cup, and the squad looking to see her off with a historic third successive victory.
Miguel Delaney writes.
Why this Women’s World Cup will be unlike anything we’ve seen before
Transport services to run as planned for World Cup fans
06:33 , Shweta Sharma
Auckland Transport has confirmed that the special bus and train services for tonight’s opening match in the Women’s World Cup will proceed as scheduled despite the shooting.
Additionally, regular train services throughout Auckland are operating on time, providing fans with options to reach Eden Park by taking the Western Line to Kingsland.
After the cordons around Te Komititanga square were lifted, the front entrance to WaitematÄ/Britomart station has been reopened for passengers’ use.
However, Auckland Transport advises that there might be minor delays as services gradually return to their normal operations.
Police say motivation of shooting appeared to be work issues
06:00 , Shweta Sharma
Police commissioner Andrew Coster said the gunman was a 24-year-old who had previously worked at the building site in Aukland and the motivation for the shooting appeared connected to his work there.
The gunman had a history of family violence and was serving a sentence of home detention but had an exemption to work at the lower Queen Street site, Mr Coster said.
The gunman began shooting at about 7.20am and police soon swarmed the area.
He moved through the building firing at people as many workers fled or hid.
The gunman then barricaded himself in an elevator shaft on the third floor, Mr Coster said, where Swat-type officers engaged him after securing the floors above and below.
“The offender fired at police, injuring an officer,” Mr Coster said. “Shots were exchanged and the offender was later found deceased.”
He said it was not yet clear if police had shot the gunman or he had killed himself. He said the gunman did not have a gun licence and so should not have been in possession of a weapon.
How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV
05:59 , Shweta Sharma
The biggest ever Women’s World Cup kicks off with both co-hosts in action on the opening day, as New Zealand face Norway in Auckland and Australia meet the Republic of Ireland in Sydney.
The first Women’s World Cup to feature 32 teams will get underway with New Zealand attempting to claim a historic win at the tournament - the Football Ferns have failed to win a match at the World Cup finals in 15 previous attempts but will be roared on by the home crowd at Eden Park as they face star-studded Norway.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch the Women’s World Cup.
How to watch every Women’s World Cup match on TV
Women’s World Cup to ‘proceed as planned’ after shooting in Auckland on eve of tournament
05:19 , Shweta Sharma
The Women’s World Cup will ‘proceed as planned’ following a shooting in Auckland, just hours before the city stages the first game of the tournament.
Ahead of the opening match between hosts New Zealand and opponents Norway in Auckland, a gunman was reportedly 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.
New Zealand’s prime minister Chris Hipkins said: “Clearly with the Fifa World Cup kicking off this evening, there are a lot of eyes on Auckland. The government has spoken to Fifa organisers this morning, and the tournament will proceed as planned.
Women’s World Cup to ‘proceed as planned’ after shooting in Auckland
How will the Auckland shooting affect the World Cup?
03:54 , Josh Marcus
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.
Alex Pattle reports.
Women’s World Cup to ‘proceed as planned’ after shooting in Auckland
ICYMI: Two dead and multiple injured in Auckland in shooting on day of Women’s World Cup kickoff in New Zealand
02:50 , Josh Marcus
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.
Two dead and multiple injured in Auckland shooting
Five, including police officer, injured in Auckland shooting
01:50 , Josh Marcus
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.”
Police can confirm an officer has been injured, as well as four members of the public at this stage.
The Police officer was transported to hospital in a critical condition, but we can advise his condition has stabilised. pic.twitter.com/dXjxKiOhTZ— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) July 20, 2023
Party leader wants New Zealanders to ‘come together’ after shooting
01:25 , Josh Marcus
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.”
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.
I want to acknowledge the bravery of Police…— Christopher Luxon (@chrisluxonmp) July 19, 2023
US Embassy confirms that Doug Emhoff, husband of VP Kamala Harris, is safe
01:07 , Josh Marcus
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.
The US Embassy confirmed Mr Emhoff is safe, following the shooting Thursday morning in downtown Auckland.
Gunman in Auckland shooting was on home detention for domestic violence
Thursday 20 July 2023 00:47 , Josh Marcus
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.
Photos capture scene in downtown Auckland after shooting
Thursday 20 July 2023 00:30 , Josh Marcus
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.
Auckland shooting strands Italian team inside of hotel
Thursday 20 July 2023 00:20 , Josh Marcus
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.
Women’s World Cup will continue as planned, PM says
Thursday 20 July 2023 00:10 , Josh Marcus
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.”
Women’s World Cup teams react to Auckland shooting on eve of tournament in New Zealand
Thursday 20 July 2023 00:00 , Josh Marcus
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.
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.
Women’s World Cup teams react to Auckland shooting on eve of tournament
Two dead and several wounded
Wednesday 19 July 2023 23:44 , Phil Thomas
Two people were killed and several others wounded when a gunman stormed a building in downtown Auckland’s financial district, according to reports.
The gunman, who is said to have been armed with a shotgun, is also reported dead.
Police have taped off an area of New Zealand’s most populous city after the incident, which started at about 7.20am local time.
Josh Marcus has the latest:
