There was a serious incident in Auckland’s city centre today. New Zealand police responded to the incident which was contained to a building on lower Queen Street. Three individuals lost their lives after numerous shots were discharged during an occurrence in Auckland’s central business district that started soon after dawn on Thursday morning. Armed police reacted and later affirmed that two individuals, as well as the male culprit, who is understood to have been a 24-year-old shooter, passed away. It is believed that at least one police officer sustained a gunshot injury and several others were hurt.

The occurrence was centered around a construction site close to the waterfront. A police representative stated that the man moved through the building site while discharging a firearm. Upon reaching the upper levels, he confined himself within the elevator shaft while police attempted to communicate with him. The man fired additional shots and was discovered deceased shortly thereafter. The representative stated that the incident was alarming but assured the public that it had been contained and was an isolated event. The police have initiated an investigation and advised the public that the incident does not pose a national security risk.

A construction worker reported hearing popping sounds while on one of the top floors and workers were instructed not to speak to the media. A woman who was out for a run saw numerous construction workers gathered on the street near the Commercial Bay shopping center at around 7:30 am. Shortly after, police cars arrived and officers carrying rifles quickly exited their vehicles. When she inquired about what was happening, someone pointed to a building and said there was a shooter inside. The woman had not heard any gunshots as she had been wearing headphones. When she attempted to run through the area later, she was told she couldn’t because there was a shooter on the loose. One individual was seen being transported on a stretcher from Galway St towards the Auckland ferry building shortly after 8:30 am.

Several ambulances were present at the scene and officers stood next to stretchers, ready to enter the building. Hato Hone St John reported that three patients were in serious condition and three others were in moderate condition.