2 killed in New Zealand construction site shooting, suspect also dead: Police

2 killed in New Zealand construction site shooting, suspect also dead: Police

A police officer and four civilians were also injured, police said.

Two people were killed after a gunman opened fire at a construction site in Auckland, New Zealand, police said.

The suspected shooter was also found dead, New Zealand Police said.

A police officer and four civilians were also injured during the shooting, New Zealand Police Acting Superintendent Sunny Patel said in a statement.

The police officer was transferred to a local hospital in "critical condition," but he has now stabilized, Patel said in the statement.

The four members of the public have injuries "ranging from moderate to critical," he added.

Police said they expect there will be more injured civilians.

Police officers stand guard near the location of a reported shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, July 20, 2023.

Nathan Frandino/Reuters

Shots were initially reported inside the building around 7:22 a.m. local time Thursday, and the male suspect continued to shoot as he moved throughout the site, police said.

"Upon reaching the upper levels of the building, the male has contained himself within the elevator shaft and our staff have attempted to engage with him," New Zealand Police said in a statement. "Further shots were fired from the male and he was located deceased a short time later."

Police added that details on what happened "are still emerging."

Multiple injuries were reported in the shooting, police said. No details were immediately provided on the victims killed in the incident.

Police vehicles are seen near the location of a reported shooting in Auckland, New Zealand, July 20, 2023.

Nathan Frandino/Reuters

There is no national security risk, police said.

"This is a scary situation for Aucklanders on their Thursday morning commute to work," Mayor Wayne Brown tweeted. "Please stay at home, avoid travel into the city centre."

The incident occurred as the FIFA Women's World Cup is set to kick off in New Zealand and Australia.

Following the shooting, the United States Soccer Federation said that all U.S. women's national soccer team players and staff "are accounted for and safe."

ABC News' Will Gretsky and Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report.

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