2023-07-21 19:44:11
Excitement and expectations were running high in New Zealand for the start of the Women’s World Cup when a deadly act of violence cast a shadow over the sporting event. Hours before the start of the opening ceremony and the first game of the tournament, an armed subject killed two people in a building under construction in downtown Auckland, triggering a strong police operation.
LOOK: New Zealand: At least three dead during shooting in Auckland
Despite the attack, the World Cup, co-organized by New Zealand and Australia, started as planned. New Zealand’s match once morest Norway began with a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the shooting. A similar tribute was made in the match between Australia and Ireland.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins expressed his condolences to the families and friends of the victims, saying: “The whole nation mourns with you.”
Next, we review the details of the attack that mourned the first day of the international competition.
1. What happened?
The shooting occurred in the morning, at the start of rush hour in New Zealand’s largest city, where the New Zealand and Norwegian teams were set to play at 7pm local time at Eden Park Stadium, less than 5 kilometers from the shooting site.
Authorities deployed law enforcement immediately. (Photo: AFP)
According to the police account, the attacker entered a building under construction and opened fire with a shotgun at several people until a police squad intervened. Agents arrived a minute following the first emergency call and took risks to save the lives of workers who tried to flee or formed barricades to save themselves. However, the attacker killed two people.
Sheriff Andrew Coster said officers quickly cornered the shooter in an elevator shaft. “The attacker fired at the police, wounding an officer. Shots were exchanged and the attacker was later found dead,” he added.
In addition to the three deceased, there were at least five injured, including a police officer who was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but was later reported stable.
2. What is known regarding the attacker and his motivation?
Coster described the assailant as a 24-year-old male who worked on the construction site and who had been sentenced to house arrest, although with an exception to work on that construction. He did not have a license to possess a weapon.
It is believed that the motivations of the attacker, who had a history of domestic violence and mental health problems, are linked to labor issues and are not related to the World Cup, nor to political or ideological motives.
Construction workers wait near the scene of the shooting in downtown Auckland. (Photo: AFP)
The police emphasized that there is no “concern” for security and that it is “safe to attend the games” that will be played in the city.
For his part, Hipkins told the press that “this has been an isolated incident. People should feel safe in Auckland and coming to the FIFA event tonight. There will be an increased police presence to provide that extra layer of public reassurance.”
“It is clear, with the fact that the FIFA World Cup starts tonight, that all eyes are on Auckland (…) The government has spoken this morning with the organizers of FIFA, and we will proceed as planned. I want to reiterate that there is no major threat to national security.”
Chris Hipkins, Prime Minister of New Zealand
3. What measures have the authorities taken?
Authorities tightened security in Auckland, where several participating teams are staying, including defending champions USA.
They also gave messages of reassurance to passersby and travelers who heard the barrage of gunfire. Armed police officers and vehicles patrolled the area, and authorities closed off parts of the city. A police helicopter flew over the emergency area.
In addition, Hipkins announced an “extensive review” of possible security failures surrounding the attack perpetrated by this man, who used a weapon, the use of which is legal in New Zealand, without having a permit to carry it.
A police officer cordons off an area near the scene of the attack. (Photo: AFP)
4. What did FIFA say?
One of the biggest initial concerns was that the scene of the incident is close to where the Norwegian team are staying.
“We feel safe most of the time (…) FIFA has a good security system at the hotel and we have our own agent on campus. All my classmates seem calm.”
Maren Mjelde, captain of the Norwegian team
FIFA said that its president, Gianni Infantino, and the general secretary, Fatma Samoura, have been in communication with the authorities and “constant contact” with the affected teams, the sports entity’s statement said.
“FIFA has been informed that this is an isolated incident that is not related to football operations and that tonight’s opening match at (the stadium) Eden Park will take place as planned,” the agency stressed.
New Zealand is one of the host countries for the sporting event. (Photo: AFP)
5. What happened in the Christchurch attack?
These types of bullet attacks are very rare in New Zealand. In fact, this was the first major shooting in that country since authorities banned most semi-automatic rifles in 2019. The move followed the Christchurch massacre, which shocked that nation and the international community.
On March 15, 2019, 51 people were killed when a white supremacist opened fire on Muslims praying at two mosques in Christchurch. The attack also left 40 injured.
The 2019 attack left deep wounds in New Zealand society. (Photo: Getty Images)
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