In a shocking incident that left New Zealanders in disbelief, two men were gunned down at a construction site in downtown Auckland. Police revealed that the victims had worked alongside the shooter. Court records further revealed that the gunman had a history of domestic violence, having been convicted of attacking a girlfriend.

The shooting occurred just hours before the opening game of the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, leading to increased security measures. The gunman, later identified as Matu Reid, stormed the high-rise building in the early morning, causing panic among the workers and opening fire. A police shootout ultimately resulted in the gunman's death. An officer who was wounded in the incident remains hospitalized but in stable condition. Additionally, three civilians sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while two others have been released from the hospital.

Reid, who was serving a home detention sentence, had an exemption to work at the construction site. However, his troubled past came to light as court records showed that he had previously been found guilty of domestic violence. The records described a horrifying incident where Reid assaulted his then-girlfriend, using weapons such as scissors and a wine bottle, punching and kicking her, and even squeezing her throat for a harrowing ten seconds. The victim managed to escape and sought help from a gas station, leading to Reid's arrest.

In a controversial decision, a judge sentenced Reid to five months of home detention, stating that imprisoning a young man with a limited history would be counterproductive. The lenient sentence now raises questions about the effectiveness of the justice system and its ability to protect victims of domestic violence. Despite the tragic incident, New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins assured the public that the shooting was an isolated act.

The FIFA tournament proceeded as scheduled, with the opening match between the home team and Norway witnessing a historic win for New Zealand. More than 40,000 spectators, including the Prime Minister, attended the game, making it the largest crowd to ever witness a soccer match in the country.

New Zealand's strong gun laws, implemented in 2019 following a mass shooting, have been widely commended. However, this incident highlighted a loophole, as the gunman used a shotgun that was not banned under the new laws. It was revealed that he did not possess a gun license, hence unlawfully possessing a firearm. As investigations continue into the motivations behind the shooting, it serves as a stark reminder for authorities to address potential gaps in the criminal justice system and strengthen regulations to prevent such tragedies in the future.