Deadly shooting in Auckland hours before World Cup

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A police officer stands guard amid reports of a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand on July 20, 2023Image source, Reuters

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A police officer stands guard near the scene of the shooting

By Emily McGarvey

BBC News

A shooting has left two people dead at a construction site in the central business district of Auckland, New Zealand, police say.

At least four other people are thought to have been injured and the gunman is also dead after the incident which came at 07:22 (19:22 GMT).

Mayor Wayne Brown said it was a "dreadful thing to happen" in his city.

The shooting happened hours before the city is due to host the Fifa Women's World Cup opening match.

All Fifa personnel and football teams are safe and have been accounted for, the mayor said.

Police say the incident on Queen Street has been contained.

Earlier, the mayor warned people should stay home and avoid travelling into the city.

The opening match is to be held between New Zealand and Norway in the city's Eden Park.

Police say they heard reports of a person discharging a firearm inside the construction site, and the gunman moved through the building and continued to fire.

The man then went into a lift shaft and police attempted to engage with him.

Further shots were fired by the man and he was found dead a short time later, police say.

They add that the incident is not viewed as a national security risk.

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