Two people killed in Auckland shooting just hours before opening of Women’s World Cup

Two people have been killed and six injured in a shooting at a construction site in Auckland, New Zealand, just hours ahead of the opening match of the Fifa Women’s World Cup.

Police said the shooting was “not a national security risk” and that the gunman was also dead.

The incident, in one of the busy streets in the city centre, came just hours ahead of the opening match of the ninth Women’s soccer World Cup at Eden Park in Auckland.

Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said the football tournament would proceed as planned, adding that police were not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.

“There was no identified political or ideological motivation for the shooting and therefore no national security risk,” Hipkins said in a televised media briefing.

“There will be an increased police presence obviously around Auckland to provide public reassurance, but the police have indicated that they don’t think there is an ongoing security or safety risk.”

New Zealand Football tweeted: “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.

“Please refer to New Zealand Police for further information. Preparations for the game tonight at Eden Park will continue as planned.”

Italy team’s training has been delayed as players cannot get out of their hotel, while the US team said all its players and staff were accounted for and safe.

Douglas Emhoff, the husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris and leading the presidential delegation to New Zealand to attend the opening ceremony of the World Cup, is safe, the US embassy said.

Several streets in Auckland were cordoned off, all ferry services into the city cancelled while buses running through some areas of the city will be detoured.

Police said the gunman, armed with a pump action shot gun, moved through the building site and after reaching the upper levels, he “contained himself within the elevator shaft.”

“Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later,” police said.