Attributable to Police Commissioner Andrew Coster:
I am extending my condolences and sympathies to the families, friends and colleagues of those who were killed in today’s shooting event in central city Auckland.
Their lives have been irrevocably affected by this tragic event and our thoughts are very much with them today.
I have had an update from the investigation team who are working at pace to understand why this terrible event occurred today.
At 7.22am, Police received multiple emergency calls with reports of a person discharging a firearm from inside the third floor of a building under construction at the bottom of Queen Street.
Police were on scene at the site within minutes. We are continuing to piece together the entire sequence of events, however what we know is:
That the offender made his way up through the building site, discharging his firearm on multiple occasions.
Police entered the building within 10 minutes.
Staff from various groups right across Tāmaki Makaurau responded and members of the public inside the building were evacuated where possible.
We know several workers inside the building found refuge hiding within the building.
At 8am, our Armed Offenders Squad, alongside Special Tactics Group, located the offender inside a lift shaft where he had barricaded himself and our staff attempted to engage with him after securing the floors above and below.
The offender fired at Police, injuring an officer.
Shots were exchanged, and the offender was later located deceased.
Tragically, Police located two members of the public deceased on the lower levels of the building site.
The Police officer was transported to hospital in a critical condition, but we can advise his condition has stabilised.
The four members of the public have injuries ranging from moderate to more serious.
At least one of these people self-presented to Auckland City Hospital with moderate injuries.
While the situation is still developing, we know that there may be more victims as they make