New Zealand – Police: Multiple Fatalities At Two Mosques In City Of Christchurch, 1 Person Taken Into Custody

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    Emergency services personnel transport a stretcher carrying a person at a hospital, after reports that several shots had been fired, in central Christchurch, New Zealand March 15, 2019, in this still image taken from video.  TVNZ/via REUTERS TVChristchurch,New Zealand – – Multiple fatalities were inflicted at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday when at least one gunman opened fire on worshippers, police said.

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    Witnesses told media that a man dressed in a military-style, camouflage outfit, and carrying an automatic rifle had started randomly shooting people in the Al Noor mosque.

    The Bangladesh cricket team was arriving for prayers at the mosque when the shooting occurred but all members were safe, a team coach told Reuters.

    Police said they had one person in custody but they were not sure if others were involved.

    Police advised people to stay away from mosques.

    “As far as we know,” the fatalities occurred at two mosques, New Zealand’s Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.

    Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said there was no place in New Zealand for such acts of extreme violence.

    Police said earlier they were hunting “an active shooter” in the centre of Christchurch city.

    “A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter,” New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.

    “Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high.”

    Media reported that a gunman opened fire inside mosque in Christchurch’s Hagley Park district. There were reports of armed police at a second mosque in the suburb of Linwood.

    People in centre of the city should stay indoors, police said. All Christchurch schools and council buildings have been placed into lockdown.

    Police did not immediately comment on whether the incident took place in the mosque or nearby. There is no official confirmation on casualties.

    Media said shots had been fired near a mosque and a witness told broadcaster One News that he had seen three people lying on the ground, bleeding outside the building.

    Radio New Zealand quoted a witness inside the mosque saying he heard shots fired and at least four people were lying on the ground and “there was blood everywhere”.

    “Horrified to hear of Christchurch mosque shootings. There is never a justification for that sort of hatred,” said Amy Adams, a member of parliament from Christchurch.

    The Bangladesh cricket team is in Christchurch to play New Zealand in a third cricket test starting on Saturday.

    “They were on the bus, which was just pulling up to the mosque when the shooting begun,” Mario Villavarayen, strength and conditioning coach of the Bangladesh cricket team, told Reuters in a message.

    “They are shaken but good.”

    Muslims account for just over 1 percent of New Zealand’s population, a 2013 census showed.

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    8 Comments
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    puppydogs
    puppydogs
    5 years ago

    Blame Trump
    Blame the Jews
    Blame Russia

    LeZion
    LeZion
    5 years ago

    Yesterday on Breitbart, Trump again tried to incite violence by Trump motorcycle gangsters, police and the US military against those who are against him! Is this how he defends the country and Constitution? Impeach now.

    puppydogs
    puppydogs
    5 years ago

    This sicko is no different than the sicko that shot up a gay nightclub in Orlando killing 50 partygoers a number of years ago.

    PaulinSaudi
    PaulinSaudi
    5 years ago

    Still developing. Now reports are indicating “dozens” are dead. I sure hope that is not true. The local police seem to be urging people to stay away from Friday services. A horrible situation.

    PaulinSaudi
    PaulinSaudi
    5 years ago

    Now reputable reports from New Zealand say more than thirty people are dead. Four people are in custody. New authoritative information on how many sites were attacked.

    puppydogs
    puppydogs
    5 years ago

    Well David Duke and Rep Omar see to be good friends. I would like to see Omar condemn Duke before she says anything about the shooting in a country that she never stepped foot into.