New Zealand Shooting LIVE UPDATES: 6 dead, several injured in brutal Christchurch massacre

Local media said there were multiple casualties at one mosque and said another had been evacuated, and there were reports that members of the Bangladesh cricket team were also present at one site.

Background

 Christchurch: Armed police in New Zealand swung into action in Central Christchurch on Friday after reports of shooting at multiple mosques in the South Island city. Local media reported up to six people were dead and the South Island city was placed in lockdown as police hunted for an "active shooter." "A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter," police said in a statement.

"A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter," police said in a statement. "Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high."

"Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high." The Masjid al Noor was filled with worshippers, including members of the Bangladesh cricket team.

One witness told stuff.co.nz he was praying in the Deans Ave mosque when he heard shooting and saw his wife lying dead on the footpath outside when he fled. Another man said he saw children being shot.

"There were bodies all over me," he said. An eyewitness told Radio New Zealand he heard shots fired and four people were lying on the ground, with "blood everywhere".
Police commissioner Mike Bush said all schools in the city had been placed in lockdown in response to "a serious ongoing firearms incident".
"Police urge anyone in central Christchurch to stay off the streets and report any suspicious behaviour," he said in a statement.

Police commissioner Mike Bush said all schools in the city had been placed in lockdown in response to "a serious ongoing firearms incident".

"Police urge anyone in central Christchurch to stay off the streets and report any suspicious behaviour," he said in a statement. An eyewitness told Radio New Zealand he heard shots fired and four people were lying on the ground, with "blood everywhere".

There was no official information on casualties but the New Zealand Herald said at least one person was killed. ESPN Cricinfo reporter Mohammed Isam said members of the Bangladesh cricket team, who are due to play a Test match in Christchurch tomorrow escaped from the mosque.

"They ran back through Hagley Park back to the Oval," he tweeted.

This is a developing story and more details are awaited