Mass Shootings in Two Mosques Shake Christchurch City in New Zealand
The Masjid Al Noor in central Christchurch, as well as another mosque in suburban Linwood, was attacked. The gunman was apparently wearing a military-style outfit. Firearms were found in the vehicle of one of the accused.
At least 49 people have been killed and 20 others have been injured in two mosque attacks that took place on Friday in Christchurch city in New Zealand. At about 1:40 pm local time, gunmen opened fire on a number of people inside the mosque who gathered for Friday afternoon prayers. A 28-year-old man has been charged for the mass shooting and is scheduled to appear in Christchurch district court on Saturday morning. Two others have been detained in connection with the shooting. An Australian is one among the detainees.
The Masjid Al Noor in central Christchurch, as well as another mosque in suburban Linwood, was attacked. The gunman was apparently wearing a military-style outfit. Firearms were found in the vehicle of one of the accused. An eyewitness who didn’t want to be named witnessed a man being shot in the head. He said people started running out and some of them were covered in blood. Another man witnessed children being shot.
One witness was driving by the mosque and pulled over when he saw people lying on the ground. He saw a man with his 3 to 4-year-old daughter who had been shot in the back. The girl’s father was shouting to get her to the hospital. The witness quickly loaded the young girl who was shot, her father and another man who was shot in his leg into his truck.
It’s being said that some of the Bangladeshi cricketers disembarked from the bus and entered the mosque when the shooting took place. None of the players were hurt though. New Zealand’s cricket team has suspended Saturday’s match with Bangladesh in the wake of this terror attack.
Schools were locked down following the shooting however the lockdown has now been lifted. Around 48 patients including young children are being treated for critical and minor wounds at the Christchurch hospital. All mosques in the country are to remain closed across the country.
Mia Garlick a spokeswoman for Facebook said that the New Zealand Police alerted them about a graphic video of the shooting that went live on the platform. They quickly removed the graphic content as well as the shooter’s Facebook and Instagram accounts.
New Zealand’s commissioner Mike Bush applauded the police force that went “above and beyond” to protect the community. They said that this was a “well planned” attack. The suspects were not in any watch lists either.
Prime Minister Jacintha Arden has declared the shooting to be one of New Zealand’s darkest days. "We were chosen (because) we represent diversity, kindness compassion, a home for those who share our values, refuge for those who need it and those values, I can assure you, will not and cannot be shaken by this attack," she said. New Zealand is not used to such mass shootings. A similar incident occurred when a man named David Grey went on a rampage killing 13 people which forced New Zealand to tighten its gun laws. Anyone above 16 can apply for a standard firearms licence after doing a safety course in New Zealand.