Auckland terror attack: Countdowns nationwide delay opening to offer staff support
Saturday, 4 September 2021
Countdown stores across the country won’t open until 10am on Saturday in show of solidarity after a terrorist entered a Auckland store and stabbed six people.
On Friday afternoon, the man entered Countdown, at LynnMall, closely followed by a team of covert police officers who the prime minister said had been monitoring his actions 24/7 as he was a known Isis sympathiser.
Witnesses described scenes of mass panic as six people were attacked before the offender was shot dead by two specialist police officers.
Announcing the later opening times in a post on social media, Countdown said its “whole team will be deeply affected by what has happened, and we want them to have a chance to talk and get the support they need”.
**READ MORE:
* Auckland terror attacker never underwent judge-ordered psychologist assessment
* Man shot dead by police, six injured, after terror attack at Auckland's LynnMall Countdown
* Urgent bid made to lift suppressions around 'lone-wolf' supermarket terrorist
* Islamic leader says Countdown terror attack the 'darkest day' since mosque shootings
**
The post acknowledged customers were very reliant on its stores at the moment, due to Covid-19 restrictions, but said “our team has to come first”.
“We are devastated by what’s taken place in our LynnMall store today [Friday]. Once again, our hearts are heavy knowing what our team and customers have witnessed and been through.”
The post said Countdown’s thoughts are with those who were injured and their families and support was being given to its staff.
“It’s difficult to comprehend and the events of today leave our whole team in deep shock.”
The LynnMall store will remain closed until further notice as multiple investigations into the incident continue.
On Friday, the husband of a woman stabbed in the hip during the incident said she was “innocently caught up” it when she popped into the store for a few things.
He said: 'It's obviously a very big shock, completely unexpected.'
His wife was in a stable condition and “should be OK”, he said.
The incident is the second high profile stabbing at a Countdown supermarket in recent months.
In May, four people - two men and two women – were seriously injured in a knife attack at a store in Dunedin.
The man has denied charges of attempted murder and is due to stand trial.
Speaking from the Beehive in Wellington, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern confirmed Friday’s attack was an extremist terror attack on innocent New Zealanders.
She said the terrorist was known to police and was under constant monitoring. He was killed within 60 seconds of the attack starting, she said.
Ardern described the incident as a “despicable” and “hateful” act by “an individual, not a faith”.
Three of the injured are in a critical condition, one is in a serious condition and two are in a moderate condition.
Ardern said she wanted to acknowledge the injured people and also thanked members of the public who helped.