Four people were taken into custody following the deadly shooting Multiple people have been killed following a shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand NEW ZEALAND (NEWS 1130) – At least 49 people have been killed following a shooting at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. “We have undoubtedly experienced an attack today that is unprecedented,” New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said. “Unlike anything that we have experienced before.” The prime minister confirmed four people were taken into custody but said three were connected to the attack. She said one of the suspects has publicly stated to be Australian born. Police say one of the suspects arrested is a man in his 20s who has been “charged with murder.” “These are people who I would describe as having extremist views that have absolutely no place in New Zealand and in fact have no place in the world,” Ardern added. “You may have chosen us, but we utterly reject and condemn you,” the prime minister said. New Zealand’s national security level has been lifted from low to high. “We are dealing with a very serious and tragic series of events in the Christchurch area,” said Commissioner Mike Bush with NZ Police. “They involve multiple fatalities.” Bush said police also stopped two improvised explosive devices found in different vehicles. Bush also confirmed that a hospital was a target but no other details were provided. “There were a number of IEDs attached to vehicles that we also stopped,” Bush added. “They’ve been made safe by the defence force but that does go to the seriousness of this situation.” “Let’s not presume that the danger is gone,” he added. Bush he said the motive is still unknown, “we are still looking at the circumstances that surround that. It doesn’t get any more serious in this country.” A facility where people can get more information about their loved ones was put up by police, Bush said. “Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high,” police tweeted. 2/5 however we can confirm there have been a number of fatalities. Police is currently at a number of scenes. We understand that there will be many anxious people but I can assure New Zealanders that Police is doing all it can to resolve this incident. — New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) March 15, 2019 Officers asked people to stay away from the area and to remain indoors until further notice. A live stream of the incident apparently taken by a shooter surfaced online; police have confirmed its authenticity and are asking people to stop circulating the “extremely distressing footage.” “We would strongly urge that the link not be shared. We are working to have any footage removed,” police tweeted. The same person is believed to have shared a manifesto online before the shooting. Schools also remained in lockdown for multiple hours. “It is clear that this is one of New Zealand’s darkest days,” said Ardern earlier in the day, calling it an act of “unprecedented violence” that has no place in New Zealand. The person who has committed this violent act has no place here. To those in Christchurch; I encourage you to stay inside and follow the instructions of @nzpolice. The Police Commissioner will be making a public statement at 5pm. I will update everyone again later this evening. — Jacinda Ardern (@jacindaardern) March 15, 2019 “We were not a target because we are a safe harbour for those who hate, we were not chosen for this act of violence because we condone racism… we were chosen for the very fact that we are none of these things,” Ardern added. Witness Len Peneha told the Associated Press he saw a man dressed in black enter the Masjid Al Noor mosque and then heard dozens of shots, followed by people running from the mosque in terror. “I saw dead people everywhere,” Peneha told the Associated Press. He says he also saw the gunman flee before emergency services arrived. “We urge New Zealanders to stay vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour,” police tweeted. They also ask all mosques nationally to shut their doors and to refrain from visiting these premises until further notice. Members of the Bangladesh cricket team were reportedly on their way to one of the mosques when the shooting broke out. Opening batsman Tamim Iqbal said the team “got saved from active shooters,” calling it a frightening experience on Twitter. All members of the Bangladesh Cricket Team in Christchurch, New Zealand are safely back in the hotel following the incident of shooting in the city. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is in constant contact with the players and team management.#christchurchMosqueAttack — Bangladesh Cricket (@BCBtigers) March 15, 2019 A cricket match between New Zealand and Bangladesh scheduled to start Saturday was canceled after the team’s narrow escape. Meantime, Canada’s prime minister has joined a number of other leaders in condemning the attacks on Friday. “Attacking people during prayers is absolutely appalling, and Canada strongly condemns today’s shootings in New Zealand,” Justin Trudeau says. “Our thoughts and hearts go out to the victims and their families, and we join New Zealanders and Muslim communities around the world in grieving.” Attacking people during prayers is absolutely appalling, and Canada strongly condemns today’s shootings in New Zealand. Our thoughts and hearts go out to the victims and their families, and we join New Zealanders and Muslim communities around the world in grieving. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 15, 2019 Mass shootings rare in New Zealand Christchurch is the largest city on New Zealand’s South Island. It has been rebuilding since an earthquake hit several years ago, killing 185 people and destroying a number of downtown buildings. Mass shootings are rare in New Zealand. The deadliest shooting in modern history before Friday’s attack happened in 1990 in the small town of Aramoana, when a gunman — David Gray — shot and killed 130 people after a dispute with a neighbour. “This is completely unprecedented for New Zealand,” Chelsea Daniels, a local reporter with News Talk ZB said. “We’re used to things shaking and things on fire really here. We’re used to natural disaster, nothing man-made. This is completely out of the ordinary for us.” “The way that we welcome people with open arms into our country,” Daniels added. “And as the prime minister said, ‘you may have chosen us, but we utterly reject and condemn you.’ She said that to the perpetrator.” -With files from Hana Mae Nassar and the Associated Press<doc-sep>As of Monday morning, this article is no longer being updated. For continuing coverage on the Christchurch shooting, please visit Vox’s World section. At least 50 people were killed and 50 injured Friday in a mass shooting at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch. A 28-year-old man named Brenton Tarrant has been taken into custody and charged with murder. In his first court appearance on Saturday morning, he flashed a white power sign: an upside-down “okay” gesture with his shackled hands. Two other people remain in custody as police try to determine their connection to, or possible involvement in, the attack. The shooter targeted two mosques in Christchurch: the Al Noor Mosque, where 42 people were killed, and another at the Linwood Mosque, where seven people died. One person died in the hospital, according to police. Friday is the Muslim holy day, when many practicing Muslims attend worship services at mosques. Police said they also found two improvised explosive devices attached to one vehicle. One of those devices has been defused, and authorities are working to neutralize the other. Police are also currently investigating a manifesto, which the 28-year-old suspect allegedly wrote and posted on social media shortly before the shooting began. The rambling document espouses far-right and white nationalistic views, specifically targeting Muslims and immigrants. The manifesto also praises mass murderers Dylann Roof, who attacked a historically black church in Charleston, South Carolina, in 2015, and Anders Breivik, who killed dozens of young people at a summer camp for Norway’s left-leaning political party. Tarrant is an Australian-born former personal trainer who is believed to have been radicalized during his travels abroad. According to the Independent, Tarrant met with right-wing extremists while taking a trip to Europe in 2017, and also traveled to Pakistan and North Korea. Tarrant had no criminal record prior to Friday’s bloody attack. The alleged shooter also live-streamed his attack on social media, gruesomely displaying how he entered the mosque and shot worshippers as they struggled to flee. In a brief press conference Friday, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the mass murder a “terrorist attack” and said the perpetrators held “extremist views” that have no place in New Zealand. “This is one of New Zealand’s darkest days,” she said earlier. “Many of those affected may be migrants, maybe refugees. ... They are us. ... The perpetrator is not.” President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences on Friday morning. 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! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2019 The identities of the victims have not yet been released.<doc-sep>Australian terrorist Brenton Tarrant has been charged with murder after he opened fire on a New Zealand mosque killing at least 49 innocent people. Australian terrorist Brenton Tarrant has been charged with murder after he opened fire on a New Zealand mosque killing at least 49 innocent people.... KEY POINTS ● Dozens dead, scores injured as gunman opens fire at two Christchurch mosques — three people arrested ● Gunman livestreams as he opens fire inside Al Noor Mosque, charged with murder ● Australian who identifies himself as “Brenton Tarrant” wrote a 73-page manifesto declaring his intentions — was not on security watch lists ● Military disarms a number of improvised explosives attached to two cars in the city ● Bomb scare at Britomart train station in Auckland ● Police raid property in Dunedin New Zealand is reeling after an “unprecedented” terrorist attack in Christchurch, in which an Australian gunman targeted two mosques and killed at least 49 people. On Saturday morning, the Mayor of Christchurch Lianne Dalziel announced part of the city’s Botanic Gardens would be given over to floral tributes. As both mosques are still crime scenes she implored people to remain away from them. Farhaan Farheez was at the mosque in Linwood for Friday prayers. “I saw people being shot at like they were animals,” he told TVNZ’s 1 News. “I’ve never experienced something like that before in my life, it’s really devastating.” Brenton Tarrant, the 28-year-old attacker who identified himself on Twitter, livestreamed the horrific massacre to Facebook in a 17-minute clip. He has now been charged with murder. He was heavily armed and fitted two improvised explosive devices to his vehicle, which the military later diffused. As Muslims gathered for Friday afternoon prayer, Tarrant opened fire in both Al Noor Mosque in the city’s centre and Masjid mosque in the suburb of Linwood. At least 49 people are dead and 48 others are being treated for gunshot wounds, all in varying conditions. Authorities warn the death toll could rise further. Two other people have been arrested, described as the terrorist’s “associates”, while a third who was earlier apprehended is not connected to the attacks. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the bloodshed as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days” and has raised the terror threat level to high. Tensions across the country are high. In Auckland on Friday night, the Britomart train station was locked down after the discovery of two unattended backpacks, which were destroyed by controlled explosion. Late in the evening, police raided a property in Dunedin, some 360km south of Christchurch, in relation to the terrorist attacks. Tarrant said on social media that his original target was a mosque in the town. A street is cordoned off with a large police presence at a home. GRAFTON MAN’S MAYHEM A chilling video streamed live by the attacker, viewed by news.com.au and verified by Storyful, shows him storm into the Al Noor Mosque, shooting indiscriminately at anyone he sees. The attacker, who is from Grafton in northern New South Wales, reloads his rifle multiple times and walks in and out of rooms in an apparent attempt to make sure all people inside are dead. Related: ‘This is New Zealand’s darkest day’ — Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responds He leaves the mosque after a few minutes and then walks back out the front gate, where he shoots a volley of gunfire up and down the street. The video also shows his car boot containing two black rifles covered in white writing, petrol containers and a bag that reads “PROUDLY KIWI AS”. In the days leading up to the attack, the man posted photos to his now-suspended Twitter account of guns, ammunition and a military-style vest. The weaponry pictured is scrawled with references to ancient battles and more recent attacks against Muslims. He also released a vile 73-page manifesto, describing himself as “just a regular white man”. SCENES OF HORROR A New Zealand Herald reporter was told by witnesses that Tarrant left a mosque after the shooting and “actively” pursued a child down the street. That child is believed to be dead. Another witness reported seeing the body of a five-year-old boy inside one of the buildings. A man in the Linwood Ave mosque told Radio NZ there were 110 people inside at the time. “We all went for cover,” he said. “When we didn’t hear any more shots, we got up. Some people ran out and came back in a pile of blood. Five minutes after that police came and escorted us out.” It’s understood about 300 people were inside the Hagley Park mosque for afternoon prayers when the shooting happened. An eyewitness told New Zealand website Stuff he had seen at least four people lying on the ground at one mosque and had seen “blood everywhere”. The photographer working for the publication also said he had seen three seriously injured people lying on the steps of the mosque. A reporter at the scene said when he arrived at that mosque someone was lying on the ground across the road being helped. COUNTRY ON HIGH ALERT On Friday, Police Commissioner Mike Bush said officers in Christchurch were being “as equipped as possible” to prevent further attacks. “As you can imagine this is requiring every police and emergency resource that we have available,” Commissioner Bush said. “We have Defence Force aircraft in Wellington ready to fly more resources into the area. So I want to assure the public we are doing everything we can to make sure there is no more harm to the communities.” As the attacks unfolded, schools in Christchurch were placed in lockdown — an order that was not lifted until 6pm. While there was not information to suggest attacks were planned elsewhere in the country, Commissioner Bush urged people to be vigilant. “I want to urge anyone thinking of going to a mosque anywhere in New Zealand today, not to go,” he said. Most mosques across the country have voluntarily closed until further notice. DRAMATIC ARREST AT SCHOOL After the attack, vision emerged of a man dressed in military fatigued being arrested outside a Christchurch school. What appeared to be a gun was on the footpath in front of him. It’s not clear what role, if any, the person played in the terrorist attacks, but a video showed him kneeling on the footpath outside Papanui High School, with his hands behind his back. Corban Manson told the New Zealand Herald he saw police arresting the man when he was driving past this afternoon. This footage obtained by the New Zealand Herald appears to show an armed man at Papanui High School.... This footage obtained by the New Zealand Herald appears to show an armed man at Papanui High School. “I was just on my way home. The guy was on the footpath with the cop and has his hands behind his back. There was a camo gun sitting right under him, which looked like a rifle. He was in full camo as well.” Police had blocked off the road either side of the high school. About 3.30pm, a staff member at the school said it had been locked down and staff were hiding under desks. CAR BOMBS ALSO FOUND A third crime scene was established in the afternoon on Strickland St, where police found two unexploded bombs in a vehicle. Commissioner Bush confirmed “IEDs were attached” to the suspect’s car. Speaking about the discovery Ms Ardern said she would not speculate on “the intention” for the devices but said they were attached to “the suspect’s vehicle”. NEW ZEALAND’S ‘DARKEST DAY’ Ms Ardern described the attacks in Christchurch as “one of New Zealand’s darkest days” and an “extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence”. “Many of those directly affected by this shooting may be migrants to New Zealand, they may even be refugees here,” Ms Ardern told media from New Plymouth on the country’s North Island. The prime minister had been there for a series of appointments, which she cancelled after receiving word of the bloodshed. “They have chosen to make New Zealand their home. It is their home. They are us,” she said of the victims.<doc-sep>
New Zealand mom worries: Waiting to see if son is all right In the wake of the deadly attack against two mosques in New Zealand, police officers sit in their vehicle out side the Al Aqsa Islamic Society mosque in Philadelphia, ahead of prayers Friday, March 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) A police officer secures the area in front of the Masjid al Noor mosque after a shooting incident in Christchurch on March 15, 2019. - Attacks on two Christchurch mosques left at least 49 dead on March 15, with one gunman -- identified as an Australian extremist -- apparently livestreaming the assault that triggered the lockdown of the New Zealand city. (Photo by Tessa BURROWS / AFP) (Photo credit should read TESSA BURROWS/AFP/Getty Images) Tributes laid at the police line close to the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch where 41 people died. Police stand outside a mosque in Linwood, Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday, March 15, 2019. Multiple people were killed during shootings at two mosques full of people attending Friday prayers. (AP Photo/Mark Baker) (CNN) — At least 49 people were killed and 20 seriously injured in mass shootings at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch Friday, in a carefully planned and unprecedented atrocity that shocked the usually peaceful nation. The attack was unleashed at lunchtime local time Friday, when mosques were full of worshippers. Footage of the massacre was streamed live online, and a rambling manifesto laced with white supremacist references was published just before the shootings unfolded. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the horror as a terrorist attack, saying it was perpetrated by suspects with “extremist views” that had no place in her country or the wider world. It was one of the New Zealand’s “darkest days,” she said in a press conference Friday. Authorities said that every law enforcement resource in the country was mobilized after the attack. Mark Baker/AP Police escort people away from outside a mosque in central Christchurch after the shootings. Three people were arrested in connection with the shootings. A 28-year-old man was charged with murder and will appear in court Saturday morning local time. Two others were arrested on suspicion of possession of firearms. Police were investigating their ties to the incident, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said that at least one of those arrested is Australian. The atrocity was the work of an “extremist right-wing, violent terrorist,” he said. Police were not searching for any other suspects in connection with the attack but stressed the investigation remained fluid. None of those arrested in connection with the attacks had been on any security watch lists prior to the attack. A total of 48 people, including young children with gunshot wounds, were taken to hospital. Authorities declined to discuss the potential motives behind the attack. But in a social media post just before the shooting began, an account believed to be linked to the gunman posted a link to an 87-page manifesto that was filled with anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim ideas and explanations for an attack. The manifesto was not signed. Attack apparently broadcast live on social media Police said they were aware of a video shared online and broadcast live during the attack, which apparently shows a gunman walking into a mosque and opening fire. “We would strongly urge that the (video) link not be shared. We are working to have any footage removed,” New Zealand police said. The brazen nature of of the broadcast, and the tech companies’ failure to prevent its proliferation online, raised profound questions about the nature of internet radicalization. In New Zealand, commentators expressed concern that the horror would sow deep divisions in a society that has largely avoided the polarizations that have spread elsewhere. Tessa BurrowsAFP/Getty Images A police officer secures the area in front of the Masjid al Noor mosque. In a statement, a spokesperson for Facebook New Zealand, Mia Garlick, said the footage was quickly taken down. “New Zealand Police alerted us to a video on Facebook shortly after the livestream commenced and we removed both the shooter’s Facebook account and the video. We’re also removing any praise or support for the crime and the shooter or shooters as soon as we’re aware,” she said. CNN has not been able to independently confirm any information about any of the attackers or the the alleged video at this stage.