A man critically injured after a shooting in Auckland's Queen St overnight has died.
Police said the man had been taken off life support and had "sadly succumbed to his injuries with family beside him".
Two people were shot — one in the head and the other in the abdomen — following the confrontation on the corner of Queen and Fort streets around 11.30pm.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Bolton said a homicide investigation has now been launched.
"This is a tragic outcome for all concerned, and our focus remains on locating the person responsible."
Police are scouring CCTV footage across the downtown area in an effort to identify the gunman. (Source: 1News)
Bolton said a second man hospitalised after the incident remains in a stable condition in Auckland City Hospital.
He said investigators continue to follow positive lines of inquiry.
"I know there will be interest around what our investigation team is doing, however there are some operational sensitives at present.
"I can reassure the public that our absolute priority is to bring about answers for this man's family."
Bolton added a "CCTV phase" of the investigation is continuing.
He said a post-mortem and formal identification of the victim will take place.
"Police will look to release further information about the man once we are in a position to do so."
Man got off e-scooter to confront group
A man had got off an e-scooter to confront a group before the shooting, Bolton told media earlier this afternoon.
He said, there were "words exchanged" between two groups before a man got off an e-scooter and the shooting took place.
"He then left on the scooter again," Bolton said.
Bolton added that after reviewing CCTV footage police could confirm it was an isolated incident and there was no further risk to the public. "Auckland's CBD remains safe," he said.
One person was shot in the head and another in the abdomen. (Source: Supplied)
He wasn't able to comment on whether the double shooting was gang related, but said police were following "positive lines of inquiry and hope to hold the offender to account".
While he couldn't state the exact number of shots fired in the confrontation, he said it was "up to four shots".
The two groups involved in the altercation were "not known to each other" before it broke out.
Earlier, police said the person seen escaping on the e-scooter was wearing "distinctive red and black pants and a red hat".
A nearby resident told 1News they heard several loud bangs and screaming before seeing a group of young people running around in a panic.
At least two people were seen lying on the ground, surrounded by police and paramedics.
"It was a shock, it's been a shock since and it was quite a few hours ago," the witness said.
"It was quite surreal that is was happening right there, it was quite odd too because some people just walked past and looked at them and walked off, which just felt surreal for what had just happened."
Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to come forward and call them on 105.
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