A gunman killed two people and wounded six others at a building site in central Auckland on Thursday, hours before New Zealand's biggest city was to host the opening match of the 2023 FIFA football World Cup.
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the gunman died at the scene and there was no national security threat, so the marquee tournament would go ahead as planned.
Little is known about the motive of the attack, but it is not believed to be directly linked to the World Cup or to have been politically or ideologically motivated. Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said there was"nothing to suggest he presented a higher-level risk".But he insisted the World Cup, which is being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia, would go ahead.Aucklanders and those watching around the world can be assured that the police have neutralised the threat and that they are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.
At least three national soccer teams are based near the shooting, including the reigning champion United States squad, which said all its players and staff were accounted for and safe.Captain Maren Mjelde said players were woken up by a helicopter and"a large number of emergency vehicles". The team will face hosts New Zealand later in the day.
"Tragically, police located two members of the public deceased on the lower levels of the building site."
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