New Zealand shooting: 49 killed, more than 40 wounded in mass shootings at Christchurch mosques
- A rifle-wielding gunman opened fire at two Christchurch mosques on Friday in New Zealand's worst ever mass shooting. A man in his late 20s has been charged with murder
- The gunman reportedly published a racist manifesto on social media before the attacks. He then live-streamed his rampage.
Christchurch Hospital said it was treating 48 people for gunshot wounds, ranging from severe to critical. India’s high commissioner to New Zealand said nine people of Indian nationality or origin were missing.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern condemned the attack and said the country was placed on its highest security threat level.
“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” she said. “From what we know, it does appear to have been well planned.”
New Zealand police said three people who had been taken into custody were not on any security watchlist. Police Commissioner Mike Bush said a man in his 20s had been charged with murder and would appear in court on Saturday. But he did not want to comment on whether the same shooter was responsible for both attacks.
