TERROR ATTACK AT NEW ZEALAND MOSQUES KILLS 49
Gunman’s manifesto praised Trump as ‘symbol of renewed white identity’
New Zealand suffered its worst mass shooting of modern times, with 49 people dead and over 20 seriously injured after a terrorist attack at two mosques in Christchurch. A man in his late 20s has been charged with murder and will appear in a local court on Saturday morning, Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.
Agunman shot dead 49 people and wounded more than 40 at two New Zealand mosques, some as they were kneeling at prayer, livestreaming online some of the killings that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned as “terrorism”.
The gunman broadcast footage of the attack on one mosque in the city of Christchurch on Facebook, mirroring the carnage played out in video games, after publishing a “manifesto” in which he denounced immigrants, calling them “invaders”.
New Zealand was placed on its highest security threat level, Ardern said, adding that “this can now only be described as a terrorist attack”. The video footage widely circulated on social media, apparently taken by a gunman and posted online live as the attack unfolded, showed him driving to a mosque, entering it and shooting randomly at people inside. Worshippers, possibly dead or wounded, lay huddled on the floor.
Police said three people were in custody including one man in his late 20s who had been charged with murder. Police have not identified any of the suspects. He will appear in court Saturday.
“We were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism, because we are enclave for extremism,” Ardern said. “We were chosen for the fact that we are none of these things. It was because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion, a home for those who share our values.”
US President Donald Trump condemned the “horrible massacre” in what the White House called a “vicious act of hate”. The gunman's manifesto praised Trump as “a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose”. The White House did not immediately comment it.
One man who said he was at the Al Noor mosque told media the gunman was white, blond and wearing a helmet and a bulletproof vest.
Forty- one people were killed at the Al Noor mosque, seven at a mosque in the Linwood neighbourhood and one died in hospital.
The visiting Bangladesh cricket team was arriving for prayers at one of the mosques when the shooting started but all members were safe. It was not clear if the attacks at the two mosques were carried out by the same man. Australian PM Scott Morrison said one of the men in custody was Australian.
Killings condemned
All mosques in New Zealand had been asked to shut their doors and post armed guards, police said, adding they were not actively looking for any other “identified suspects”.
Political and Islamic leaders across Asia and the Middle East condemned the killings. “I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11,” Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan posted on social media.
“1.3 billion Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror.”
“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack... (today is) one of New Zealand's darkest days” JACINDA ARDERN New Zealand PM
“Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers #christchurchMosqueAttack” TAMIM IQBAL Bangladeshi cricketer