ACCUSED WAS NEAR MUSLIM KIDS
The man accused of murdering 50 Muslims worked out obsessively at a Dunedin gym directly opposite a Muslim early childhood centre.
Officers carrying Bushmaster rifles were stationed at An-Nur Childcare Centre, a Muslim-based centre in South Dunedin, yesterday.
Dr Mohammad Alayan, the owner of the centre which has a sign saying ‘‘all kids welcome’’, was critically injured at Al Noor Mosque on Friday.
His son, Atta Elayyan, a goalkeeper for the national futsal team, was shot and killed.
Dunedin-based Brenton Tarrant, described by his landlord as a ‘‘model tenant’’, is charged with murder in relation to New Zealand’s worst massacre.
Tarrant used to work out at Anytime Fitness, just over the road from the childcare centre.
One of the gym members recognised Tarrant, who, she said, ‘‘obsessively worked out’’.
Tarrant would work out with free weights, staring at himself in the mirror and not interacting with others, the woman said.
She only saw Tarrant during the day, and it was unclear if he used the 24/7 access.
A line of treadmills face the car park and the childcare centre.
A person connected to the centre said the centre was not in a position to comment but had posted a statement on Facebook.
‘‘May Allah give them strength to get through this dreadful time,’’ the post said of the families grieving for their loved ones.
Tarrant’s rented property in Somerville St, Anderson’s Bay, remains under armed police guard.
The Dunedin owners of the property, who declined to be named, said they were ‘‘shocked by what has happened’’.
They said Tarrant was a ‘‘model tenant’’. ‘‘He kept the place clean and tidy and paid his rent. He was polite, friendly and accommodating.’’
A resident said Tarrant ‘‘always waved’’ and ‘‘seemed nice enough’’.
Other associates said Tarrant claimed he got money from BitConnect, a purported scam, and another said he spoke of an inheritance after the death of his father.
Tarrant moved into the twobedroom unit in Somerville St about a year ago.
Fears over a potential improvised explosive device at the house prompted several blocks of Somerville St to be cordoned off after the shooting.
Police have said they found several items of interest but nothing that was inherently dangerous.