Auckland: Suspected gunman on the loose ahead of FIFA Women’s World Cup opening match
- Unconfirmed reports of a gunman on the loose in Auckland
- Emergency services respond to unfolding incident in CBD
- Construction workers seen crouching in high-rise buildings
Heavily armed police have raided Auckland’s CBD after receiving unconfirmed reports that a gunman was inside a high-rise building.
Specialized agents were seen just before 06:00 New Zealand time on Quay Street near the popular Britomart shopping centre.
Several construction workers were forced to take cover behind piles of building materials as emergency services flooded the area.
Footage from the scene shows merchants crouching halfway up the Commercial Bay Tower, a tall building near the city’s Princes Wharf.
A construction worker on floor 14 of the skyscraper told local media that a man with a gun had run “floor by floor” up the stairs.
Heavily armed police have raided Auckland’s CBD after receiving unconfirmed reports that a gunman was inside a high-rise building (Photo: An injured police officer)
Specialist agents were seen gathering on Quay Street near the popular Britomart shopping center just before 6am New Zealand time (pictured, the scene on Thursday morning)
Another tradition told the NZ announces that he ran into the gunman on the stairs and seemed visibly shaken by the confrontation.
St Johns Ambulance Service said one patient is being treated for serious injuries while another is being treated for moderate injuries.
A reporter at the scene said she heard “five continuous” gunshots, while another was told by police to hide behind something “hard and solid.”
The incident comes ahead of the FIFA Women’s World Cup opening match with New Zealand and Norway scheduled for 5pm AEST.
Former Football Fern Maia Jackman told local media she was standing in the fan zone known as the Cloud on the nearby wharf when police flooded the area.
‘It’s pretty scary actually. So they pushed us to the back of the cloud where we are and we’re just trying to stay sane,” Ms. Jackman said.
‘There is a lot of security and a lot of uncertainty.’
Chlöe Swarbrick, MP for Auckland Central, has asked people to stay indoors as emergency services respond to an unfolding incident.
“We are in communication with the frontline and will update as necessary and appropriate,” she tweeted just after 6am local time.
In a statement, NZ Police said the serious incident in Auckland CBD occurred in a building on Lower Queen Street that is under construction.
“Police are asking all members of the public to avoid the lower Queen Street area and for those in downtown buildings to stay within their buildings at this time.
“This is a significant incident that has attracted several emergency services.
“There will be a large police presence in the area. The police will provide a further update as soon as we are able to.”
Several roads have been closed due to the serious incident, including parts of Lower Hobson St, Quay St, Queen St and Lower Albert St.
All ferry services are suspended until further notice.
Witnesses said they heard a police helicopter overhead.
More to come.