Pollice in New Zealand have shot and killed a “violent extremist” after he stabbed and wounded at least six people in an Auckland supermarket.
Prime Minister Jacinda Arden said the incident was a “terrorist attack” carried out a Sri Lankan national who was under police surveillance.
The man, who has not been identified, was inspired by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group, said Arden.
Police killed the man within 60 seconds of the attack on Friday.
“What happened today was despicable, it was hateful it was wrong,” Ardern said in a news conference. “It was carried out by an individual, not a faith.”
Arden added that she was “absolutely gutted” to hear about the attack.
Of the six wounded people, three are in a critical condition and one is in a serious condition, said health official.
“The hospital staff are doing everything they can to preserve their lives,” said major of Auckland, Phil Goff.
“We’re all horrified by what’s happened. But… justice came pretty swiftly for the offender,” added Goff.
The attack took place at the Countdown supermarket at LynnMall in the district of New Lynn on Friday afternoon.
The attacker reportedly took a large knife from a display cabinet in the store and went on a stabbing spree. Police surveillance teams had been close by the entire time.
Leave a Reply