Third target saved

Kiwi cops say they thwarted attack as first victim laid to rest

THE white supremacist behind the Christchurch terror attacks had planned to hit a third location last Friday, but New Zealand police commissioner Mike Bush declined to name the target to avoid further trauma in the community.

“That will form part of the court case, but we absolutely believe we know where he was going and we intervened on the way,” Mr Bush said.

That trauma was plain on the face of Zaid Mustafa, 13, who came in a wheelchair to attend the burial of his father and brother yesterday while still recovering from bullet wounds to his legs and arms.

Khaled, 44, and brother Hamza, 15, both died in the gunman’s rampage on Friday and were the first of the 50 victims to be laid to rest in Christchurch.

“He tried to stand up to show respects to his father and brother but he was unable,” said Jamil el-Biza, who was at the graveside. “But he said he wanted to stay and shake every person’s hand. He was not only upset, he was heartbroken.”

The tragedy of this Syrian family is especially brutal given they had just been accepted into New Zealand as refugees in late 2018.

Autopsies have been completed on all 50 bodies and though some identification issues remain outstanding, the funerals are now expected to move swiftly with 30 bodies released and more laid to rest yesterday afternoon.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is likely to announce details of gun restrictions today and is unlikely to face any opposition.

Outside the funeral, Jamil el-Biza from Australia’s ASWJ, or Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah, turned on Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

He said Australia “needs to learn from the Prime Minister of New Zealand how you treat Muslim people in times of hardship. Scott Morrison really needs to show the Muslim community in Australia that he’s on their side.”