Two people were killed in a shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, only hours before the start of the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The city of Auckland was about to host the first match of the Women’s World Cup when it awoke to news of a terrible shooting, casting a shadow over what was intended to be a day of celebration.
The event occurred in the heart of New Zealand’s largest city, near a fan park where hundreds of football fans were expected to congregate.
Fifa said it had been informed that it was an isolated incident and that Thursday’s match between New Zealand and Norway at Eden Park would go ahead as planned.
People have travelled to the city from across the globe for the start of the World Cup, which has been labelled the biggest women’s sports event ever to be staged.
Six other people, including police officers, were injured, and the gunman is also dead after the incident at 07:22 (19:22 GMT) on a construction site in the central business district.
PM Chris Hipkins said the attack was not being seen as an act of terrorism.
The tournament would go ahead as planned, he said.
The public, he added, could be assured that police had neutralized the threat and there was no ongoing risk after the incident on Queen Street.
No political or ideological motive for the attack had been identified, the prime minister said.
The gunman, he said, had been armed with a pump-action shotgun.
Mr. Hipkins thanked “the brave men and women of the New Zealand police who ran into the gunfire, straight into harm’s way, in order to save the lives of others”.
“These kinds of situations move fast, and the actions of those who risk their lives to save others are nothing short of heroic,” he added.
According to Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown, all FIFA personnel and football teams are safe and have been accounted for.
“I can’t remember anything like this ever happening in our beautiful city. This morning’s events have been tragic and distressing for all Aucklanders, as this is not something that we are used to,” Mr. Brown said on Twitter.
Fifa expressed its “deepest condolences” to the victims’ families and said it was in communication with New Zealand authorities.
“The participating teams in close proximity to this incident are being supported in relation to any impact that may have taken place,” it said.
The opening match is to be held between New Zealand and Norway in the city’s Eden Park.
Sport Minister Grant Robertson said there would be extra police in the area to provide reassurance.
The ninth Women’s World Cup is being co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia.
Earlier, the mayor warned people to stay home and avoid travelling into the city. Mr. Brown said it was a “dreadful thing to happen” in his city.
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.
Following the shooting, there was a large armed police presence in the central business district, not far from the waterfront and the fan park.
Tatjana Haenni, chief sporting director for the National Women’s Soccer League USA, is staying close to where the shooting happened.
She told BBC News she had woken up to the sounds of police cars arriving and was told to stay inside. “So far, we feel safe,” she said.
Jacob Johnson, a reporter for 1 News in Auckland, told BBC Sport: “The fact it has happened on the day that was meant to be a huge celebration for New Zealand is just gobsmacking.
“The Women’s World Cup was supposed to be a huge win for women’s sport.
“In New Zealand, it is something we are really trying to push. It’s such a shame that something like this will probably dominate the headlines for days.
“The Women’s World Cup has been years in the making. I hope organisers are not going to completely let this overshadow the event.
The Women’s World Cup is a really big deal for New Zealand.”
A record 32 teams are taking part in the tournament in Australia and New Zealand over the next four weeks.
Auckland is hosting nine of the 64 games.
“It is the biggest sporting event New Zealand has ever hosted,” added Auckland-based reporter Johnson. “We had our breakfast crews down at the fan zone this morning.
“There were excited fans and children. It’s just across the road from where this horrible incident took place.”
Among those visiting the city for the tournament is Sonia Orvaz, who has travelled to Auckland from California to support the four-time world champion United States.
“It’s sad when this sort of thing happens,” she said. “This will obviously overshadow the start of the tournament, which is very unfortunate.
“It just makes me a little bit sad for Auckland. They’ve waited years for this.”
A Canada fan, Cherry Andrews, had been on her way to the fan park when she was diverted because of the incident.
“We didn’t know what was going on,” she said.
“Hopefully it is not going to deter people from enjoying the Women’s World Cup, which is why we are all here in the first place.”
