New Zealand shooting: 4 in custody over firing at Christchurch mosques; 49 dead

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 forty-nine 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".

Active shooter situation at New Zealand mosque, casualties feared

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— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) March 15, 2019

"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.

13:55 PM (IST)  •  15 Mar 2019

As per the latest update, death toll in the Christchurch mosque shooting has reached 49.

11:10 AM (IST)  •  15 Mar 2019

New Zealand have police warned against sharing footage relating to a deadly shooting in Christchurch on Friday, after a video online showed a gunman filming himself firing at worshippers inside a mosque.

11:08 AM (IST)  •  15 Mar 2019

Hours after the Christchurch mass shooting, Los Angeles police department had deployed police around mosques in the city. They wrote on Twitter: The LAPD is monitoring the horrific events unfolding in Christchurch, New Zealand.

11:08 AM (IST)  •  15 Mar 2019

The LAPD is monitoring the horrific events unfolding in Christchurch, New Zealand. While this attack appears to be an isolated incident with no nexus to LA, out of an abundance of caution we’re providing extra patrols around mosques. Our thoughts & prayers are with all affected.

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) March 15, 2019

11:04 AM (IST)  •  15 Mar 2019

In a recent update, the New Zealand Police have ended the lockdown on schools, allowing worried parents to pick up their children. The two mosques are still under lockdown as is the hospital where the victims were taken.