ISIS-inspired extremist on terror watchlist is shot dead by police who were monitoring him 24/7 after supermarket stabbing rampage left six shoppers fighting for their lives
- A man has been shot after going on a stabbing rampage inside a supermarket in Auckland on Friday afternoon
- At least six people were injured - including at least three critically - after they were stabbed in the attack
- The man has been identified as an 'ISIS inspired terrorist' and 'violent extremist' under 24/7 terror watch
- Customers frantically ran inside a nearby pharmacy as police swarmed the shopping centre and shot him
A 'violent extremist' who was 'inspired by ISIS' and on a terror watchlist has been shot dead by police in an Auckland supermarket after stabbing at least six people in an 'out of control' rampage.
Six people have been left fighting for life in hospitals across New Zealand's north island on Friday afternoon while the knifeman died inside the Countdown supermarket in New Lynn, in the city's south.
Three of the victims were described as 'critical' with neck and chest wounds.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed on Friday the 32-year-old Sri Lankan national, known only as 'S' for legal reasons, was considered one of the nation's most dangerous extremists and was watched 24/7 since 2016. He arrived in New Zealand in 2011.
'What happened today was despicable, hateful and wrong,' she said. 'It was carried out by an individual, not a faith or religion. He was gripped by violent and ISIS inspired ideology that is not supported here.'
A surveillance team and special tactics group monitored the man at all times and plain clothes officers were able to respond in 60 seconds when he launched his attack on Friday afternoon.
It is understood the man obtained a knife from within the store.
Six people were rushed to hospitals across New Zealand's north island on Friday afternoon while the knifeman died inside the Countdown supermarket in New LynnDue to suppression orders that are already in place, the prime minister says there is information about the man's identity and details of his past criminal history that cannot yet be revealed.
She vowed to share any further details that she could 'within the confines of the law' if the court lifted suppression orders following the man's death.
'There are not many people who fall into this category. He was known to our national security agencies, was of concern and was being monitored constantly. There are very few people that fall into this category,' Ms Ardern said.
She reiterated that if the offender had commit a crime in the past that would have allowed authorities to put him in prison, 'that's where he would have been'.
Due to suppression orders that are already in place, the prime minister says there is information about the man's identity (pictured) and past that cannot yet be revealed'The reason he was in the community is because within the law we could not put him anywhere else. His past behaviour was, within the threshold of the law, not enough to put him in prison.'
The 32-year-old offender reportedly landed himself on terror watchlists after twice buying hunting knives and being found to possess Islamic State propaganda videos, NZHerald reported.
The outlet revealed he had only recently been released from prison after a High Court judge ruled preparing a terrorist attack was not equitable to performing a terrorist act and sentenced him to a lesser charge.
Disturbing footage of the attack was shared online, showing customers running to safety as at least 10 police units swarmed the surrounding streets.
'Holy f**k. Oh my God... Someone is in there with a knife, somebody has been stabbed,' a woman said in the footage
A witness told Stuff people were 'running out, hysterically, just screaming, yelling, scared' as an elderly man laid injured on the floor and a middle-aged woman was stabbed in the shoulder.
Six people were left fighting for life in hospitals across New Zealand's north island on Friday afternoon while the knifeman died inside the Countdown supermarket in New Lynn
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed on Friday the Sri Lankan national was an extremist who was on terrorism watch since 2016
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed on Friday the 32-year-old Sri Lankan national (pictured) was considered one of the nation's most dangerous extremists and was watched 24/7 since 2016. He arrived in New Zealand in 2011
The offender was reportedly acting 'like a lunatic' and indiscriminately lunging at anybody in his path, the witness said.
Another woman said she heard police ordering the offender to surrender before five gunshots rang out.
Two officers were involved in shooting him dead.
The three victims who remain in a critical condition were rushed to Auckland City hospital along with a fourth person in a serious condition.
One victim in a stable condition was taken to Waitakere Hospital while another was rushed to Middlemore Hospital.
Two of the victims were rushed straight into emergency abdominal surgery.
At least 10 police units were quickly on the scene and surrounded the shopping precinct before the knifeman was shot dead
Roads near the area have been blocked by officers, who are still investigating
At least 20 frantic Countdown customers fled to safety at nearby Unichem Pharmacy, which was already brimming with about 45 patients waiting to get their Covid jab.
Staff immediately locked the doors and called for help.
'It wasn't a nice scenario. Everyone was pretty shocked and worried, but everybody is fine,' a staff member said.
At least 10 police units were quickly on the scene and surrounded the shopping precinct before the knifeman was shot dead.
Roads in and out of the area were blocked off and helicopters are circling nearby.
Customers fled the supermarket and witnesses reported chaotic scenes as police shot the knifeman dead
Kiri Hannifin, Countdown supermarket's general manager of safety, released a statement on Friday afternoon stating her 'heart was heavy knowing what our team and customers have witnessed'.
'We are particularly devastated that something like this has happened again in one of our stores. It's difficult to comprehend and the events of today leave our whole team in deep shock,' she said.
'The safety of our team, and our customers, is always our priority, and this is at the heart of our COVID-19 response as well. We will cooperate with the Police in any way we can to understand what's happened, and at this point we're unable to provide any further details.'
The store will be closed until further notice.
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