At least 49 killed in New Zealand mosque attacks

bdmetronews Desk ॥ Four people were taken into custody after the shootings inside two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.

At least 49 people were killed and dozens more injured in a mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday when a gunman opened fire inside two mosques.

The shootings were categorized as a terrorist attack.

“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.

The 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.

The 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.

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.

 

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