Offender had history of family violence, say police
The offender was the subject of home detention, but had an exception to work at the site, Coster said.
“The individual is known for primarily family violence history,” he says.
He adds that he believes there were “indications of mental health history” in the offender, but that there was no evidence he was of high lethal risk and that his previous offences did not suggest he posed this kind of threat.
The gunman, 24, killed two people before he died, either due to police fire or by shooting himself.
Key events
The New Zealand Herald reports that a Parliamentary hearing on a petition to allow gun club members to own banned semi-automatic rifles for competition, which had been due to take place this afternoon, has been cancelled.
The petitioner is the Council of Licensed Firearms Owners, and the committee was also due to hear from the Pistol New Zealand and the New Zealand Police.
“Petitions Committee chair and National MP Jacqui Dean told the Herald it was cancelled due to sensitivities over this morning’s shooting incident and would be scheduled for a later date,” the Herald reports.
What we know so far
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Three people were killed, including a gunman, and six injured, in a shooting in downtown Auckland on Thursday morning. The shooting was not politically or ideologically motivated, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said. At least one police officer was among those injured.
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The offender was the subject of home detention, but had an exception to work at the site, New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said. “The individual is known for primarily family violence history,” he said. He said there were “indications of mental health history” but that there was no evidence he was of high lethal risk and that his previous offences did not suggest he posed this kind of threat. The gunman, 24, killed two people before he died, either due to police fire or by shooting himself.
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The offender did not have a gun license. He is believed to have used a shotgun.
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The police officer injured was shot during an exchange of fire with the gunman. He is in a stable condition and is expected to have surgery today.
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The shooting occurred as the FIFA Women’s World Cup was due to begin in Auckland on Thursday night, with a match between New Zealand and Norway.
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Authorities said the tournament would proceed as planned and that there was no threat. “Aucklanders and those watching around the world can be assured that the police have neutralised the threat and that they are not seeking anybody else in relation to the incident,” Hipkins said.
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The gunman was armed with a shotgun. “He moved through the building site and discharged his firearm. Upon reaching the upper levels of the building the man contained himself in an elevator and Police engaged with him, shots were fired and he was located a short time later,” Hipkins said.
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Police said it was safe for members of the public to return to the CBD. “Police are reassuring the public that they can continue to come into the CBD,” the New Zealand police aid on Twitter. “However, if there is anyone who was involved or witnessed today’s events, and they haven’t made themselves known to Police, we ask that you please contact us via 105 as soon as you can.”
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The organisers of the FIFA Fan Festival are waiting for further advice from the police before deciding when to open. The Fan Festival was meant to have opened at midday local time. There would be an update at 2pm, the organisers said.
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Norway is due to play tonight against New Zealand at the world cup opener. The team’s hotel is located 300-400 metres from where the shooting occurred. The team’s captain, Maren Mjelde, said, “We felt safe the whole time. FIFA has a good security system at the hotel, and we have our own security officer in the squad.”
He says five ambulances and four rapid response vehicles, as well as support and command units, were sent to the scene.
The head of operations for St John ambulance, Stuart Cockburn, is speaking now.
Coster says he is “incredibly proud of the actions our staff took” and that “their willingness to go in there and sort it out is outstanding.”
There have been “indications of mental health history” in the offender, but, Coster said earlier, there was no evidence he was of high lethal risk.
Those shot were shot while on the lower levels of the buildings, Coster says.
The injured officer was shot during the exchange of fire while the offender was in the elevator well, he says. The officer is expected to have surgery today.
Offender had history of family violence, say police
The offender was the subject of home detention, but had an exception to work at the site, Coster said.
“The individual is known for primarily family violence history,” he says.
He adds that he believes there were “indications of mental health history” in the offender, but that there was no evidence he was of high lethal risk and that his previous offences did not suggest he posed this kind of threat.
The gunman, 24, killed two people before he died, either due to police fire or by shooting himself.
Coster is asked whether he knows if the offender was killed in the exchange of fire or shot himself.
Coster says that is not known at this time.
The individual did not have a firearms license, he was believed to be using a shotgun.
Police remain satisfied that there is no risk to the public, says Coster.
The four members of the public injured have wounds ranging from moderate to serious, says Coster.
The offender has not been formally identified.
However they believe he is a 24-year-old male who was employed at the construction site where the shooting occurred.
New Zealand Police commissioner Andrew Coster is speaking now in Auckland.
He extends his sympathies to the families of those killed.
“I’ve had an update from the investigation team… at 7.22am police received multiple emergency calls,” he says. “Police were on the scene within minutes.”
The offender made his way up through the building site discharging his firearm multiple times.
At around 8am the offender was located inside an elevator shaft. The offender fired at police, injuring an officer.
“Shots were discharged and the offender was later found deceased,” he says.
The TYLA Youth Development Trust worked with the gunman in 2017, Jolene Cartwright, the organisation’s co-general manager has told Stuff.NZ.
“We just found out and are still dealing with the situation. Our thoughts go out to everyone involved in the tragic situation that’s unfolded,” Cartwright said.
Here is our story on how the shooting has impacted Women’s World Cup players:
The New Zealand Herald reports that police at the scene are removing parts of the cordon blocking and that the first public vehicles have been allowed through.
Mike Hytner
The US team, who are also based in an Auckland hotel within walking distance of the incident, are due to front the media later today, with star players Crystal Dunn and Lynn Williams scheduled to appear.
Gun violence is a topic that has been addressed in the past by members of the women’s national team, including Megan Rapinoe, who has been vocal in her support of gun control laws in her home country.
FIFA has released a statement:
FIFA extends its deepest condolences to the families and friends of the victims who lost their lives following the incident which occurred this morning in Auckland, New Zealand, and our thoughts and prayers remain with those who have been injured in this tragic incident.
Immediately following the incident, President Gianni Infantino and FIFA Secretary-General Fatma Samoura were in communication with the New Zealand authorities.
FIFA has also been in constant contact with the participating teams affected by this incident.
FIFA has been informed that this was an isolated incident that was not related to football operations and the opening match tonight at Eden Park will proceed as planned.
The opening hours of the FIFA Fan Festival in Auckland city centre will be confirmed in due course.
The participating teams in close proximity to this incident are being supported in relation to any impact that may have taken place.
We’re expecting to hear from New Zealand Police commissioner Andrew Coster at 1pm local time – fifteen minutes from now.
Australia and New Zealand will open the ninth Women’s World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the two nations ,later today – despite the shooting near the Norwegian team hotel in Auckland that left three dead and six injured.
New Zealand’s Football Ferns will open the tournament as planned at Eden Park in the city against Norway on Thursday at 7pm local time (0700 GMT), in what is likely to surpass the host nation’s previous biggest crowd for an international soccer match.