In a devastating incident, at least two people lost their lives and several others were injured in a mass shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, just hours before the FIFA Women's World Cup was set to kick off there.
This marks a grim milestone as it's believed to be New Zealand's first mass shooting since the ban on nearly all assault weapons in 2019.
The shooter, a 24-year-old man, carried a pump-action shotgun without a license and met his end at the hands of authorities.
New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster assured FIFA officials that this was an isolated incident and not a threat to the upcoming tournament, as his investigative team works tirelessly to uncover the motive behind the shooting.
Gunshots rang out in the downtown area of Auckland's largest city early Thursday, sending people into hiding and urging the public to avoid the downtown vicinity.
The tragic shooting unfolded inside a building under construction near the waterfront location of the city's World Cup Fan Festival, with construction workers seeking refuge behind large equipment.
Acting Superintendent Sunny Patel revealed the harrowing details of the shooter's actions, and despite attempts to engage with him, the gunman continued firing before being found deceased later on.
As New Zealand braces for the impact of this horrific event, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins stated that there's no clear indication of any political or ideological motivation for the shooter.
The Women's World Cup, which was about to commence with the opening match at Eden Park in Auckland, added a somber tone to the event.
Meanwhile, New Zealand has already taken stringent measures to ensure public safety, with police being embedded within teams, stadiums, and high-traffic areas surrounding the World Cup.
New Zealand's response to gun violence has been proactive, as they previously banned most semiautomatic weapons, high-capacity magazines, and all their parts in 2019 following the tragic Christchurch mosque shooting.
While the country faces the aftermath of this tragic incident, authorities continue to investigate the motives behind the shooting and work towards preventing such incidents in the future.
As the nation mourns the lives lost and prays for the recovery of the injured, it stands united in solidarity against acts of violence.
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