23 Jul 2023

Two victims of Auckland shooting named by police

10:31 am on 23 July 2023

Police have named the two men who were gunned down in Thursday's shooting incident in central Auckland.

Armed police stand behind a cordon in downtown Auckland following an active shooter situation on 20 July, 2023.

Photo: RNZ / Ziming Li

In a statement released this morning, Detective Superintendent Ross McKay said formal identification processes had now been completed for the two victims who died in the shooting.

They are Solomona Tootoo, 45, of Manurewa; and Tupuga Sipiliano, 44, of Wattle Downs.

"Police extend sincere condolences to the families, who are grieving the loss of their loved ones."

Flowers laid outside the barriers of the construction site, on 21 July 2023, the day after the shootings.

Flowers laid outside the barriers of the construction site, on 21 July 2023, the day after the shootings. Photo: RNZ/ Charlotte Cook

The gunman - who died at the scene - was earlier identified as Matu Tangi Matua Reid, 24, a worker at the construction site.

He walked on to the building site in lower Queen Street at about 7.20am and opened fire with a pump action shotgun.

Eight people were also injured in the shooting, and four people remain in hospital receiving care, including a police officer.

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