Shooting death toll rises

The death toll from Friday’s Christchurch terror attacks at two city mosques has risen to 50, as people around the country hold vigils to honour those who died.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush yesterday said one more person had died, after Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, opened fire at mosques on Deans Ave and Linwood Ave.

The 50th victim’s body was found while others were being removed from the Deans Ave crime scene. All the bodies have now been removed.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said a small number of victims’ bodies were being returned to their families last night and it was hoped all of the bodies would be returned by Wednesday.

Eleven people remained in critical condition in Christchurch Hospital. In all, 36 people were still in hospital.

A 4-year-old child transported to Starship children’s hospital in Auckland also remains in a critical condition.

The news came as vigils were being held around the country over the weekend, with large crowds gathering in Invercargill, Nelson, Auckland and Wellington.

Ardern and GovernorGeneral Dame Patsy Reddy both visited the Kilbirnie Mosque to lay wreaths.

Later, Ardern told a press conference that specialist support was being provided to those affected, and it would include schools.

Families would be offered financial support, including funeral grants of up to $10,000.

Attention is increasingly turning to possible changes to New Zealand’s gun laws, with some calling for an immediate moratorium on the sale of semi-automatic weapons.

Ardern said a Cabinet meeting would be held today to discuss possible law changes.

‘‘We cannot be deterred from the work that we need to do on our gun laws . . . they will change.’’

Dr Marie Russell and Dr Hera Cook, of University of

Otago’s department of public health, said an urgent and immediate moratorium on sales and imports was required to prevent a rush of gun purchases.

‘‘Many New Zealanders are, like us, worried about the number of firearms in New Zealand,’’ Russell said.

Their comments come as semi-automatic weapons, the type used by accused mass murderer and self-described white supremacist Tarrant, are reportedly being quickly bought up by gun licenceholders fearing a ban.

Earlier, Bush also gave an update on two armed people arrested at a cordon near one of the crime scenes, saying that ‘‘we do not believe they were involved in these attacks’’.

One – a man – has been charged with firearms offences. The other – a woman – was released without charge.

Tarrant, 28, appeared in Christchurch District Court on Saturday on one murder charge. More charges were likely, police said. He is in custody and will reappear in court in April.

Bush said it was clear that the offender used a modified category A firearm.

Referring to the police officers who attended the terror attack scenes on Friday and arrested the accused, Bush believed their work ‘‘did prevent further attacks’’.

‘‘I’m so proud of what they’ve done. They’ve prevented further deaths and again risked their own lives to do so.’’

Police were now working with coroners and pathologists to determine the cause of deaths as quickly as possible to allow burials to go ahead.

‘‘We have to be absolutely clear on cause of death.’’

Bush said identifying victims was detailed and complex work. The victims had been removed from both mosques, he said.

Notifying next of kin was a priority before names were officially released.

Mosques nationwide were reopened but Bush said security would continue ‘‘until we believe there is no threat’’.

Police have also finished their search of the home of the accused in Somerville St, Dunedin. ‘‘A number of items of interest were located,’’ Bush said.

A scene guard will remain at the property for the time being.