Three people critically injured after stabbing at New Zealand supermarket
Three people are critically injured after a stabbing at a New Zealand supermarket, with witnesses saying they heard loud screaming and saw a man brandishing two knives.
The incident sparked a large armed police response, which happened at a Countdown Supermarket in Dunedin about 2.30pm on Monday.
Police believe it was a random attack and NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told media there was nothing at this stage that suggested it was a domestic terror event.
The Southern District Health Board confirmed three patients were admitted to the intensive care unit and one to the general ward. One patient is being treated in the emergency department.
It is understood both staff and customers are among the injured.
One witness at the supermarket told Stuff: "It just sounded like someone fell over and then screaming got louder and louder.
"We walked past the aisle and we heard someone say, 'he has got a knife', so we just kept moving forward."
Asked what the person looked like, the man said: "Curly hair, quite a messy little fellow."
The Otago Daily Times reported members of the public had pinned down the offender, but he had been able to wrestle his way free before police arrived.
A witness said the offender was arrested and was walked to the Dunedin Central Police Station, next door to the supermarket, covered in blood, ODT reports.
RNZ reported a witness saying the offender was carrying two knives.
A Stuff reporter at the scene said the incident appeared to have unfolded in a pharmacy within the supermarket, where items are strewn across an aisle.
"There are four or five police staff working inside a cordon in that area, including forensics and a photographer."
Countdown's managing director Spencer Sonn said the company was "shocked and devastated" by the events.
A police spokesman said police responded to an incident on Cumberland Street at about 2.30pm (local time).
"Initial information suggests several people have been injured. One person has been taken into custody."
The supermarket and car park have been cleared.
Mr Sonn said the company's priority was "our injured team members and caring for our wider team in the wake of this extremely traumatic event".
"We are deeply upset that customers who tried to help our team members were also injured," he said.
"We have been concerned about the escalating violence towards our team, and this is something we have continued to talk and raise as an issue over the last year.
"Our amazing team comes to work to serve Kiwis every day, and our customers visit our stores knowing that they will be safe.
"We are heartbroken that this wasn't the case today."
The store would remain closed for at least the next two days, he said.
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