Siobhan
Trusted Member
At least 9 and possibly up to 27 people are dead, and one shooter is in currently custody after two gunmen opened fire at two separate Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Authorities have the area under lockdown, and asking the public to avoid attending mosque services throughout the region tonight.
• Dozens feared dead as at least two gunmen open fire at two central Christchurch mosques
• City in lockdown, with reports of a third shooting scene and a car bomb in Strickland St
• One gunman, believed to be Australian, filmed as he shot victims in the mosque - and wrote a manifesto declaring his intentions
• Teen witness: "I just ran as fast as I could, over the fence to Hagley Park, I didn't stop. The gunshots sounded like pop, pop, pop...I heard over 50."
• A man wearing military clothing has been arrested outside Papanui High School
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/..._medium=social&utm_campaign=nzh_tw&ref=NZH_TwPrime Minister Jacinda Ardern called it "one of New Zealand's darkest days".
A body has been seen lying near Al Noor Mosque in central Christchurch and a second gunman has been seen near Linwood Masjid mosque.
One of the gunmen broadcast live as he shot victims.
One of the gunmen is believed to be an Australian who has written a manifesto declaring his intentions.
In it, he says "it is a terrorist attack."
Ardern described the event as "extreme and unprecedented violence".
Police were "actively managing the situation".
New Zealand police told CNN they are "aware" of a social media video that purports to show a live broadcast of a shooting at a Christchurch mosque, but were unable to confirm or deny its veracity.
This may be the live broadcast by one of the gunmen as he shot victims, but there is no reporting as to where the live feed was uploaded at or where it can be accessed - viewing may not be possible if NZ LE have the link, as it may have already been placed under a blackout until after charges and court proceedings.
Twitter feed of New Zealand Police with more tweets to follow in this thread:
There is enormous cowardice and a specific type of evil in those who attack innocent people while they are engaged in prayer services at any house of worship, regardless of the religion or their victim's origin of nationality.
As New Zealand has no death penalty, we can only hope that the perpetrators are all captured, prosecuted, convicted, and receive the worst penalties under that nation's laws.
Thanks to @ChaosKitty for the heads up on this developing situation.
UPDATE: At least 4 people: 3 men and 1 woman are now in custody after the deadly shootings, according to NZ Police Commissioner Mike Bush.
FURTHER UPDATE: A number of IEDs that were attached to vehicles in Christchurch have been defused by the Defense Force
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