A shooting has left two people dead in the centre of Auckland, New Zealand, hours before the city is due to open the Fifa Women's World Cup.

Six other people, including police officers, were injured and the gunman is also dead after the incident at 07:22 (19:22 GMT) on a construction site in the central business district.

PM Chris Hipkins said the attack was not being seen as an act of terrorism.

The tournament would go ahead as planned, he said.

The public, he added, could be assured police had neutralised the threat and there was no ongoing risk after the incident on Queen Street.

No political or ideological motive for the attack had been identified, the prime minister said.

 

The gunman, he said, had been armed with a pump-action shotgun.

Mr Hipkins thanked "the brave men and women of the New Zealand police who ran into the gunfire, straight into harm's way, in order to save the lives of others".

"These kinds of situations move fast and the actions of those who risk their lives to save others are nothing short of heroic," he added.

 

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Matu Tangi Matua Reid, 24

 

The gunman who killed two people in Auckland’s CBD on Thursday morning told his domestic violence victim “you don’t know what I’m capable of”.

 

Matu Tangi Matua Reid, 24, was sentenced on domestic violence charges in March.

He was described by a probation officer as being at low-risk of reoffending – but his risk of causing harm to others was considered to be high.

Reid was sentenced in March on charges of injuring with intent to injure, wilful damage, male assaults female and impeding breathing.

The starting point for the sentencing was two years and three months’ imprisonment, but lifted to three years for the violence used, vulnerability of the victim and the fact Reid was on supervision at the time of the offending.

Reid was then given a nine-month discount for his guilty plea and a further seven month discount for his background which Judge Bonnar was satisfied had a connection to his offending.

Judge Bonnar said he was satisfied Reid needed help to address any issues he had and that home detention was an appropriate sentence.

“I do not want to send a young man like you, with a limited history, to prison. I think it would be counterproductive and actually set you down the wrong path.

Judge Bonnar sentenced Reid to five months’ home detention with a number of conditions, including one that he was not to possess, consume or use any alcohol or drugs.

Reid was also required to attend and complete an appropriate non-violence and alcohol and drug programme.

18 hours ago, gomangosteen said:

Judge Bonnar said he was satisfied Reid needed help to address any issues he had and that home detention was an appropriate sentence.

This Judge should be sacked.