Christchurch, March 15 (RHC)-- New Zealand police have defused several improvised explosive devices found attached to vehicles in Christchurch following mass shootings at two mosques that left 49 people dead.
The shooter entered the Masjid Al Noor mosque 10 minutes after prayers began and let off “dozens, if not hundreds of rounds,” witness Ahmad al-Mahmoud told New Zealand outlet Stuff. He described the man as white-skinned, blond, short and wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest.
A second shooting took place at Linwood Masjid, where a witness says they saw a man leave the mosque wearing camouflage gear and a motorcycle helmet, while unconfirmed reports indicate a bomb was found nearby.
Four suspects are currently in custody, including one woman, and public facilities remain on lockdown while police are urging mosques elsewhere in New Zealand to close their doors for the remainder of the day. One of those detained has been confirmed to be an Australian citizen.
Officers cleared buildings near the mosques, while Christchurch schools have been placed on lockdown. Another witness said he saw “a man in handcuffs being led away by police.”
Two shootings at mosques in New Zealand leave at least 49 dead
Related Articles
Commentaries
MAKE A COMMENT
All fields requiredMore Views
- Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, at the quarterly open debate of the UN Security Council on The situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian Question
- An agreement with major social implications
- Argentina’s president fires his foreign minister after vote in favor of ending U.S. blockade against Cuba
- Overwhelming victory at United Nations: Cuba supported by 187 votes against the blockade; two in favor of maintaining the genocidal measures
- Venezuelan president reveals María Corina Machado is between Panama and Colombia asking for new sanctions