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Auckland Mall Attack ISIS-inspired terrorist stabs six people in Auckland mall, shot dead by police: New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern
Auckland, September 3: A 'violent extremist' was shot dead by the New Zealand police after he had stabbed at least six people in an Auckland supermarket on Friday afternoon, reports said.
Calling the incident a 'terrorist attack', New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the attacker, a follower of the Islamic State (IS) ideology, was a Sri Lankan national who arrived in NZ in 2011 and became a person of national security interest from 2016.
The PM said that the 'violent extremist' had been under constant monitoring and heavy surveillance by the NZ police.
Police had neutralized the attacker within 60 seconds of him beginning his stabbing assault, the PM said.
Local authorities said that at least six people had been injured in the 'lone-wolf' attack at Countdown Lynnmall and they are now in hospital.
Three of them are undergoing treatments in critical conditions, according to officials.
Auckland Police Commissioner Andrew Coster said that there was no further threat or risk to public at the scene.
