Auckland capturing leaves not less than 3 useless hours earlier than World Cup opens
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AUCKLAND, New Zealand — The World Cup will start as scheduled right here Thursday night time regardless of a capturing earlier within the day that left not less than two folks useless and 6 others injured steps from FIFA’s Fan Competition.
The male shooter is useless, and police have decided there is not any menace to nationwide safety, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins mentioned throughout a information convention within the capital of Wellington. Hipkins was planning to go to Auckland later within the day.
“Clearly with the FIFA World Cup kicking off this night, there are a whole lot of eyes on Auckland. The event will proceed as deliberate. I wish to reiterate there isn’t a wider nationwide safety menace. This seems to be the actions of 1 particular person,” Hipkins mentioned.
“The police have neutralized the menace and will not be looking for anyone else. New Zealand’s security, and the security of our guests, is our first precedence.”
Eight groups, together with the U.S. ladies, are based mostly in Auckland for the group stage and most are staying at motels near the place the capturing occurred. U.S. Soccer mentioned its 23 gamers and workforce employees have been “accounted for and protected,” they usually have been “continuing with our each day schedule.”
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New Zealand sports activities minister Grant Robertson mentioned the opposite groups additionally have been OK. That included one staying at a resort simply across the nook from the capturing.
“Because the cordon strikes in, they’ll go about their regular enterprise,” Robertson mentioned.
It is not clear if the Fan Fest, which was scheduled to open at midday forward of New Zealand’s recreation towards Norway, would nonetheless be held Thursday. It is positioned at The Cloud, which is on the waterfront a couple of hundred toes from the place the capturing occurred. The realm remains to be closed off to visitors and pedestrians, and Hipkins and Robertson mentioned they weren’t positive when it could re-open.
FIFA didn’t instantly return a message from USA TODAY Sports activities.
“Clearly that is as much as the police as they cut back the cordon,” Robertson mentioned.
Police obtained a report of photographs fired at 7:33 a.m., Hipkins mentioned, and officers have been on the scene 11 minutes later. The gunman had a pump-action shotgun, and fired it as he made his manner by means of the constructing, Hipkins mentioned. When he bought to the higher ranges of the constructing, he barricaded himself in an elevator shaft.
“Additional photographs have been fired from the male and he was positioned deceased a short while later,” New Zealand police mentioned.
Hipkins mentioned he had no particulars on the shooter, however that police have decided there was no ideological or political motivation to the capturing. Hipkins couldn’t say whether or not these shot have been civilians or police.
Police introduced the incident had been “contained” about two hours later, although the world remained blocked off and sirens may very well be heard on close by streets.
This can be a growing story.
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