Lynn Williams.Photo:Carmen Mandato/USSF/Getty

Lynn Williams #6 of the United States speaks at a press conference on July 20, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand

Carmen Mandato/USSF/Getty

Members of the USWNTmourned the victims ofThursday’s deadly shooting in downtown Auckland, New Zealandhours before theWomen’s World Cupkicked off.

Local authorities said a 24-year-old gunman opened fire at a construction site near the hotels where teams playing in the World Cup were staying. The Associated Pressreportsthe gunman entered the unfinished building at the site, and shot and killed two people before barricading himself in an elevator shaft, where he got into a shootout with police.

The outlet reported that the shooting took place shortly before 8 a.m. local time and that a USWNT spokesperson said the team was gathering for breakfast at the time.

“We were just thankful that we were safe, that the first responders and everything was handled very quick,” Williams said. “Our security team was very swift to say, ‘Look, you can’t go anywhere.’ “

Auckland, New Zealand.Lynn Grieveson /Getty

An armed police officer stands on patrol in a cordoned downtown area on July 20, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand

Lynn Grieveson /Getty

Auckland, New Zealand.SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty

Police officers cordon off an area near the site of a shooting in central Auckland on July 20, 2023

SAEED KHAN/AFP via Getty

The USWNT’s morning practice was delayed as local police secured the area, restricting players and others staying at the hotel from leaving the grounds. Crystal Dunn, who is making her second World Cup appearance for the U.S. squad, said the teammates are making sure everyone is comfortable to process the shooting any way they need to.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“This is very real and our condolences are with the families of the victims and the lives that were lost,” Dunn said, adding, “Everyone handles these situations differently. So it’s important to give people the space that they need to work through obviously the trauma that has occurred today but understanding that we’re a unified team.”

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins assured the public Thursday’s shooting was an isolated incident related to the gunman’s grievances with his former workplace. “I want to reiterate that there is no wider national security threat,” Hipkins said. “This appears to be the action of one individual.”

The USWNT kicks off its quest for a third-consecutive World Cup title on Friday against Vietnam.

source: people.com