Forty-nine people have been killed and at least 20 injured in shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was “one of New Zealand’s darkest days” as police found multiple explosive devices attached to cars.
Three people were taken to custody – two men and one women; it has been described as a terrorist attack. One of the three has been released. Firearms have been seized by police. Officers are working to see if the two are connected.
New Zealand’s threat level has been raised from low to high and none of the suspects were on the terrorism watchlist. The shooting is the deadliest in the country’s history.
One gunman live-streamed footage of his rampage to Facebook, he filmed it with a head-mounted camera. The footage showed him firing at men, women and children from close range inside the AI-Noor mosque. Police have told everyone not to share the “extremely distressing” footage online. Facebook have removed the gunman’s Facebook and Instagram accounts – they are working to remove any copies of the footage. The gunman is a 28-year-old born in Australia and has been charged for murder.
As shots began to be fired, police put the city in lockdown and evacuated nearby protests. The shootings were at AL-Noor mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre on Linwood Avenue Police said. The gunman entered the mosque in central Christchurch and opened fire at 1.40pm local time.
The mayor of Christchurch Lianne Dalziel said the city was in shock: “This has come as a bolt from the blue … It just feels like it’s not what would happen in a place like New Zealand.”
Police Commissioner Bush said: “Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high. Police recommend that residents across Christchurch remain off the streets and indoors until further notice.”
The shooting was estimated to have lasted 20 minutes. The gunman had targeted the men’s prayer room first and then moved onto the women’s room. The was 41 killed at Al-Noor mosque and seven at the Linwood mosque, another died at hospital.
Police are not assuming that there is not anyone else involved. They have a large police presence across canterbury and across New Zealand but they are not naming or identifying who they may be looking for.
New Zealand commissioner Mike Bush said the attack was “very well-planned”.
