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| Brenton Tarrant, the man behind the New Zealand terror attack, compared himself to Mandela in his manifesto and claimed he would win the Nobel Peace Prize after being freed from jail. |
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49 killed in mass shootings at 2 mosques in 'one of New Zealand's darkest days'
ABC News
Fri March 15, 2019
At least 49 people were killed and dozens more injured in mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday.
At least one gunman carried out what is now the deadliest shooting in New Zealand history.
"It's something that we never expected to have happen here," Christchurch MP Gerry Brownlee told "Good Morning America." "We're a relatively small population, and while we are ethnically quite diverse, we live very peaceable lives. And this, as many have seen, has shattered our innocence."
Brownlee, who said he lives a short distance from one of the shooting sites, said, "Almost everyone will know someone or have a connection with the families of someone who has been either killed or seriously wounded today."
"This is one of New Zealand's darkest days," New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a press conference Friday.
A gunman, who was dressed in tactical gear, appeared to livestream video of the shooting on social media, according to New Zealand police. He documented his trip from his car and into the worship center in central Christchurch, where he opened fire indiscriminately, police said.
Officials said they were working to remove "extremely distressing footage" taken at the scene and urged social media users not to share it.
Three people are in custody, including one Australian citizen. One man was charged with murder and is expected to appear in court Saturday, police said.
A shooter also opened fire in the surrounding area outside of the mosques. Police said they recovered two improvised explosive devices attached to vehicles in the area, but they were rendered safe.
Police have not said if the same gunman shot at both mosques.
The shootings were categorized as a terrorist attack.
Witnesses said the attack occurred just before 1:40 p.m. local time as the Sheikh gave a sermon in Christchurch, which has a population of about 375,000.
"He just came in and he was shooting ad hoc," Ramzan Ali told The Associated Press.
Arden made reference to the nationalities of the victims, saying, "Many of those directly involved might be immigrants, refugees who chose to be here. They are us. The person who has done this, is not."
Ali said he survived by hiding beneath a bench.
"I haven't seen him because I just lied down under the bench, thinking that if I get out, I'll get shot," he said. "I'm just keeping my fingers crossed so I could be alive."
He added: "I was the last guy to come out of the mosque after the shooting stopped and on the doors there were a lot of bodies."
Len Peneh, who lives next door to one of the mosques, told the AP that he "saw dead people everywhere" when he went inside to help.
"I've lived next door to this mosque for about five years and the people are great, they're very friendly," he said. "I just don't understand it."
Brownlee commended police for acting quickly and said the most important thing right now is to support those with connections to victims.
Of the 49 people killed, New Zealand police said 41 victims died at the Deans Avenue Mosque, seven at the Linwood Avenue Mosque and one at a hospital.
"New Zealand is a place where people have felt very secure and very free," he added, "and this certainly has shaken that belief up today, and we've got to make sure we don't end up with a permanent loss of the freedom that we so value."
Ardern said none of the suspects were on any active terrorist watch lists and it was "not a matter of someone slipping under the radar."
Morrison said the shootings were carried out by an "extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist, that has taken the lives -- stolen the lives -- in a vicious, murderous attack that has claimed so many New Zealanders."
Queen Elizabeth in a statement said she's "deeply saddened by the appalling events in Christchurch."
"Prince Philip and I send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives. I also pay tribute to the emergency services and volunteers who are providing support to those who have been injured," she said. "At this tragic time, my thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders."
President Donald Trump tweeted Friday, "My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques. 49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!"
U.S. Attorney General William Barr in a statement called the attack "a sobering reminder that the threat of political and religious violence is real and that we must remain vigilant against it."
"Violence on the basis of religion is evil," Barr said. "The Justice Department joins in mourning with the people of New Zealand.”
U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said in a statement, "While we are not aware of any current, credible or active threat domestically, nor of any current information regarding obvious ties between the perpetrators in New Zealand and anyone in the US -- the Department is cognizant of the potential concerns members of Muslim-American communities may have as they gather at today’s congregational prayers."
"Attacks on peaceful people in their place of worship are abhorrent and will not be tolerated," Nielsen stressed. "The Department strongly stands with those of all faiths as they seek to worship in peace and we will continue to work with stakeholders to protect the ability of all to worship freely and without fear."
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