Auckland shooting live updates: Gunman who killed two had history of family violence, New Zealand police say – latest news

The offender had a history of family violence, police say

The offender was placed on home detention but had an exception to work at the site, Coster said.

“The individual is primarily known for a history of family violence,” he says.

He adds that he believes there were “indications of a mental health history” in the offender, but that there was no evidence that he was at high lethal risk and that his previous offenses did not suggest that he posed this type of threat.

The 24-year-old gunman killed two people before dying, either by being shot by police or by shooting himself.

key events

Here’s our full rundown of what happened today:

Too early to say whether PM will meet families of victims, says deputy prime minister

Speaking in New Zealand’s parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni said it was too early to say whether the prime minister would meet the families of those killed in today’s shooting, the New Zealand Herald reports.

“To think that people had gone to work this morning in the CBD and this is what they had found, absolutely shocking.”

“We can only imagine what they are going through right now. We share the sadness and, like them, will be awaiting further updates on the investigation.”

He also talked more about the shooter’s history.

“And, despite some family history of damage, there was nothing to suggest that anything of this nature would happen. They have also made it clear that they had carried out searches in the house and never found firearms. So that’s the information we have.”

“He clearly did not have a firearms license, but they searched, they did not find any firearms.”

Some Auckland roads are still closed, says the city’s transport authority. Has published this map:

Sorry, that was not Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni. Parliament’s comments from her shortly.

The New Zealand Herald reports that a parliamentary hearing on a petition to allow members of the gun club to possess banned semi-automatic rifles has been canceled for the competition, which was due to take place this afternoon.

The petitioner is the Licensed Firearms Owners Council, and the committee was also supposed to hear from Pistol New Zealand and the New Zealand Police.

“Chairperson of the Petitions Committee and national parliamentarian, Jacqui Dean, told the Herald it was canceled due to sensitivities over the shooting this morning and would be scheduled for a later date,” the Herald reports.

What we know so far

Three people were killed, including a gunman, and six were injured in a shooting in central Auckland on Thursday morning. The shooting was not politically or ideologically motivated, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins said. At least one police officer was among the injured.
The offender was placed under house arrest but had an exception to work on the site, New Zealand Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said. “The individual is primarily known for a history of family violence,” he said. He said there were “indications of a mental health history,” but there was no evidence that he was at high lethal risk and that his past offenses did not suggest that he posed this type of threat. The 24-year-old gunman killed two people before dying, either by being shot by police or by shooting himself.
The offender did not have a weapons license. It is believed that he used a shotgun.
The wounded police officer was shot during an exchange of fire with the gunman. He is stable and is expected to be operated today.
The shooting occurred as the FIFA Women’s World Cup was due to kick off in Auckland on Thursday night. with a match between New Zealand and Norway.
Officials said the tournament would go ahead as planned and there was no threat. “Aucklanders and those watching around the world can rest assured that the police have neutralized the threat and are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident,” Hipkins said.
The gunman was armed with a shotgun. “He moved around the construction site and discharged his firearm. Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the man restrained himself in an elevator and was confronted by police, shots were fired and he was located a short time later,” Hipkins said.
Police said it was safe for members of the public to return to the CBD. “Police are assuring the public that they can continue to come to the CBD,” New Zealand Police say on Twitter. “However, if there is anyone who was involved in or witnessed today’s events, and it has not been made known to the police, we ask that you contact us via 105 as soon as you can.”
FIFA Fan Festival organizers are awaiting further advice from the police before deciding when to open. The Fan Festival was meant to open at noon local time. There will be an update at 2pm, organizers said.
Norway is due to play tonight against New Zealand in the opening of the world cup. The team hotel is located 300-400 meters from where the shooting occurred. Team captain Maren Mjelde said: “We felt safe all the time. FIFA has a good security system in the hotel and we have our own security officer in the team.”

It says that five ambulances and four rapid response vehicles, as well as support and commando units, were dispatched to the scene.

St John’s Ambulance Chief Operating Officer Stuart Cockburn is speaking now.

Coster says he is “incredibly proud of the actions our staff took” and that “their willingness to go in and figure it out is outstanding.”

There have been “indications of a mental health history” in the offender, but, Coster previously said, there was no evidence that he was at high lethal risk.

Those shots were fired in the lower levels of the buildings, Coster says.

The wounded officer was shot during the exchange of fire while the offender was in the elevator shaft, he says. The officer is expected to undergo surgery today.