New Zealand - Christchurch Mosque shooting, dead & injured reported, 15 March 2019

[UndiscoveredTruth]

NZ is one of the most peaceful places in the world to live. Kiwi's just don't act like that, the Police don't even carry guns. I am surprised and horrified and hope my son is ok. I used to live in Linwood.

My heart is heavy right now...I'm deeply saddened this has happened in my Country. I don't feel safe anymore and I never thought I'd feel this way, ever ....my heart aches badly for the victims and their families and people all over New Zealand! I hope your son is okay too.

 

[UndiscoveredTruth]

44s ago 08:08

49 people killed
New Zealand’s police commissioner, Mike Bush says the number of people killed has increased to 49 after one of the victims died in hospital.

A man has been charged with murder and will appear in court tomorrow.

One of those arrested may have had nothing to do with the attack, Bush said. The two other people arrested in possession of firearms are still being investigated.

45s ago 04:13

Bush refuses to name the suspected attacker. He said as the individual had been charged it would not be proper to confirm the name.


Christchurch shooting: 49 dead in terrorist attack at two mosques – live updates

 

[human]

The killer is confused. The land belongs to the Maori in New Zealand The First Nations in Australia. They are not white.

 

[stace29]

Three in custody after 49 killed in Christchurch mosque shootings
Forty-one people had died at the Deans Ave mosque, while seven had died at Linwood and one in hospital.

This is an event that we have never expected to happen here in our little part of the world, and my heart is breaking tonight for all of those who have lost people they love, those who are waiting to hear news, and those who have loved ones fighting for their lives.

 

[UndiscoveredTruth]

21s ago 08:21

Here’s a partial transcript of the Q&A with reporters.

Q: Why were these people not on a security watch list? Were they completely unknown to police?

That’s a very good question. What I want to tell you is that no agency had any information about these people, and I can also tell you that I’ve been in contact with my Australian colleagues - they have no information on them at all either. And they are assisting with our inquiries. But I can also add that part of our investigation will be to look back at every possibility to ensure that we, in law enforcement and security, didn’t miss any opportunities to prevent this horrendous event.

Q: Who carried out the shootings at Deans Avenue mosque? Was it the same person who carried out the shootings at Linwood?

Look, I would love to go into detail, but a person has been charged. For me to now go into details of who did what would not be proper.

Again, I know there is a name within the public domain, but it would be improper for me now to confirm that because a person has been charged.

Q: There was a threat on Facebook - on a Facebook page made towards the Islamic community. Are you aware that, that police had an early warning of this attack?

I’m aware of that suggestion which we’re working through at the moment. When I have absolute clarity about that, I will be sharing that.

Christchurch shooting: 49 dead in terrorist attack at two mosques – live updates

 

[UndiscoveredTruth]

New Zealand Police‏Verified account @nzpolice 23s24 seconds ago
1/6 Police wish to notify the public of the Restoring Family Links (RFL) website where people can register missing persons or register themselves as alive. Police have asked Red Cross to activate the website due to the serious firearms incident in Christchurch.

New Zealand Police‏Verified account @nzpolice 3m3 minutes ago
2/6 The RFL website is a tool where the public can self-register they are alive so family and friends know they are safe. Members of the public can also register missing persons. Police will be working with New Zealand Red Cross who is managing the website, making all...

New Zealand Police‏Verified account @nzpolice 2m2 minutes ago
3/6 ...appropriate enquiries to find missing persons. People will have the option to make this information visible to the public or kept private when they fill out the required form. People living in New Zealand can also register missing persons on 0800 115 019.

New Zealand Police‏Verified account @nzpolice 1m1 minute ago
4/6 A member of Police will contact you if you register a missing person.

New Zealand Police‏Verified account @nzpolice 1m1 minute ago
5/6 We encourage members of the public to continue to contact family and friends through their own means to confirm their welfare.

New Zealand Police‏Verified account @nzpolice 1m1 minute ago
6/6 Police want to ensure the public we are doing everything possible to resolve this incident. We will provide updates on the incident as and when they are available. You can access the RFL website here: https://familylinks.icrc.org/new-zealand/en/Pages/Home.aspx …

 

[UndiscoveredTruth]

1m ago 08:30

Here’s more of transcript of the press conference via the Australian TV transcription site TVeeder.

Q: Are you in search of any other suspect?

We never assume that there aren’t other people involved. That’s why we’ve got immense presence out there across Canterbury and right across New Zealand, but we don’t have named or identified people that we’re looking for, but it would be wrong to assume that there is no-one else.

Q: So you’re not actively looking for any other shooter at this stage?

At this point, we are not actively looking for any identified persons.

Q: How many day, weeks, month, in the planning do you think this attack was?

I couldn’t tell you, but I think - I don’t need to tell you, this is a very well-planned event.

Q: Was explosives on the body of one of the attackers?

So I’m aware of that commentary as well. What I can say is that that person may have suggested that. We have eliminated that as a possibility. There was not - we’ve also talked about IED devices on two vehicles. I would like to clarify that and say that there were possibly two IDs on one vehicle and we’ve disabled one and we’re in the process of disabling the other, with the assistance of the Defence Force deaf.

Q: Do controlled explosions have anything to do with this investigation?

We believe not, but of course there is a real heightened sense out there in the communities.

People are being very vigilant and I congratulate them and we’ve dealt with that. Two bags that have left, they have been detonated and we don’t believe they are any further threat.

Q: Are you concerned that this event could be coordinated - there could be other events coming?

We don’t have any information to that extent, but it’s always important to take preventative precautions and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

Q: Was Christchurch Hospital targeted?

No, I think there was some early reporting of that, but it was confused with the fact that 40 people were taken there very quickly for emergency medical treatment, and it was not targeted.

Q: Obviously mosques are closed and synagogues should close, is that true?

I’m not aware that have advice, but we’re giving everyone advice to be very vigilant and take care of yourselves and report anything that you might find suspicious so we can respond immediately.

Q: Were police aware that there was a suggestion that an ta tack could have been planned for StPatrick’s Day?

I don’t have any intelligence to that effect.

Q: How many police are currently in Christchurch?

Well, they have a force of over 1,000.

Christchurch shooting: 49 dead in terrorist attack at two mosques – live updates

 

[UndiscoveredTruth]

1m ago 08:44

Here are the key points from the New Zealand police commissioner press conference:

• 49 people were killed in the attack, including 41 at Deans Avenue mosque and seven at Linwood mosque. Another victim died in hospital.
• A man in his late 20s has been charged with murder and will appear in Christchurch court tomorrow.
• Two others arrested at the scene with guns are being investigated. A fourth person arrested may have had nothing to do with the attack.
• Several guns have been recovered from both mosques. Two explosive devices were found on two vehicles at the scene. One has been disabled.
• The suspects were unknown to the police.
• The police remain vigilant but are not looking for anyone else in connection with the attacks.

Christchurch shooting: 49 dead in terrorist attack at two mosques – live updates

 

[UndiscoveredTruth]

39m ago 08:16

Here’s a transcript of Bush’s opening statement:

At the Deans Avenue mosque, we now know that 41 people have lost their lives. And at the Linwood mosque, 7 have lost their lives. Of the 40 people who have been treated at Christchurch Hospital, one has now passed. So the total number of people who have died in thishorrendous event are 49.

And our hearts go out to them and all of their families, all of their friends, all of their loved ones, and I want to assure everyone that we will do our best for them

I would like to also add that so far one person, a male in his late 20s, has been charged with murder, and should appear in the Christchurch Court tomorrow morning.

Three other people were apprehended. We believe one of those persons who was armed and was at the scene may have had nothing to do with this incident, and the two other people that have been apprehended, again in possession of firearms in the general environment, we are working through to understand what their involvement is.

We have recovered a number of firearms from both of the scenes, Linwood Avenue and Deans Avenue.

I would like to assure everyone around New Zealand that every available police and emergency resource with our other government agencies and Defence Force are doing everything they can to keep our communities safe.

We have had no other threats since we responded to this incident. We are working with a wide range of community to give support to everyone who needs it.

We have staff around the country ensuring that everyone is kept safe and that includes our armed defenders and special tactics groups right across the country being very vigilant and having a presence around all of our mosques, to ensure nothing further occurs. As I said, this is an evolving situation.

We will continue to bring you as much information as we possibly can. I will answer your questions in a minute if I can, but before I do, I would like to communicate the 0800 number for people to call for more information, especially around their loved ones, and that number is 0800115019.

I would also like to commend - and some of you would have seen the brave actions on social media of police staff who responded to this incident - they have gone above and beyond their communities to apprehend at least one of these offenders. So I take my hat off to all of my staff.

I’m extremely proud of what they have done to date. Thank you.

Christchurch shooting: 49 dead in terrorist attack at two mosques – live updates

 

[Hjp]

Part of the problem with the fallout of this attack will be the west refusing to accept or see that there is a sizeable number of people living in our societies with a stiff opposition to aspects of islam and muslims.

There needs to be a recognition that there are parts of extreme & conservative islam that demonstrate incompatibility with the modern and outward-looking societies of the west, which also promote intolerance and entrenched division. Unfortunately, attacks like this one and those of notorious Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Brevik are a result of our countries refusing to face up to the cultural and religious challenges that surround the practice of islam.

The only way forward in stopping people driven to conduct these types of attacks is to build bridges, to ensure understanding and respect is shown to different peoples in our communities, and to bring an end to secular and religious ghettos in our nations. This can only come from our governments and there has to be clear supporting visual policy.

 

[CoverMeCagney]

Thinking of everyone in NZ; my family in Chch, the Muslim community, and all our Kiwi members. Just awful news to wake up to.

 

[kiwilaura]

This is a hate crime committed by a typical right wing extremist/white supremist: young, white, male, disenfranchised and one who feels his status at the top of the hierarchy is threatened by world becoming more welcoming of a variety of cultures.

It makes me sick and sad and I just didn't expect this in my own country. The perpetrators of this atrocity do not represent the significant majority of New Zealanders.

 

[worldwatcher]

Horrible..no other words for it!
I never expect,that something like that,would happen in New Zealand.

 

[Cali123]

Part of the problem with the fallout of this attack will be the west refusing to accept or see that there is a sizeable number of people living in our societies with a stiff opposition to aspects of islam and muslims.

There needs to be a recognition that there are parts of extreme & conservative islam that demonstrate incompatibility with the modern and outward-looking societies of the west, which also promote intolerance and entrenched division. Unfortunately, attacks like this one and those of notorious Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Brevik are a result of our countries refusing to face up to the cultural and religious challenges that surround the practice of islam.

The only way forward in stopping people driven to conduct these types of attacks is to build bridges, to ensure understanding and respect is shown to different peoples in our communities, and to bring an end to secular and religious ghettos in our nations. This can only come from our governments and there has to be clear supporting visual policy.

Please be more informed on Islam and western practices before making some of your statements. I understand what you’re trying to say, but your delivery comes across as ignorant. It’s widely known there’s challenges associated with every religion.

 

[Hjp]

I would like you to please educate yourself and be more informed on Islam and western practices before making some of your statesments. I would like to say I understand what you’re trying to say, but you’re delivery comes across as condescending and ignorant. There’s challenges with every religion, not just Islam.

What you are really trying to say is that you don't agree, and that of course is fine... but you will never make any progress in persuading people not to carry out these types of attacks until you understand the 'why'.

Now I would like you to re-read my post and you will see that that is the only point I am trying to make.

 

[mrjitty]

Part of the problem with the fallout of this attack will be the west refusing to accept or see that there is a sizeable number of people living in our societies with a stiff opposition to aspects of islam and muslims.

There needs to be a recognition that there are parts of extreme & conservative islam that demonstrate incompatibility with the modern and outward-looking societies of the west, which also promote intolerance and entrenched division. Unfortunately, attacks like this one and those of notorious Norwegian mass murderer Anders Behring Brevik are a result of our countries refusing to face up to the cultural and religious challenges that surround the practice of islam.

The only way forward in stopping people driven to conduct these types of attacks is to build bridges, to ensure understanding and respect is shown to different peoples in our communities, and to bring an end to secular and religious ghettos in our nations. This can only come from our governments and there has to be clear supporting visual policy.

Seriously?

 

[mrjitty]

This is a hate crime committed by a typical right wing extremist/white supremist: young, white, male, disenfranchised and one who feels his status at the top of the hierarchy is threatened by world becoming more welcoming of a variety of cultures.

It makes me sick and sad and I just didn't expect this in my own country. The perpetrators of this atrocity do not represent the significant majority of New Zealanders.

Exactly

I am in CHC today

This is the act of terrorism

As jacinda said we reject it utterly

 

[eucalyptuz]

So very very sad. What a tragic day for NZ.
Sending love and hope.

 

[mrjitty]

The killer isn't even a kiwi or from here but obviously people of Christchurch should think deeply about his motivations

 

[kiwijayne]

I’m from Christchurch and currently live away from there. Tomorrow I’m supposed to be flying there to see my family, attend a concert(it’s now been cancelled) and celebrate my birthday.

Tonight my heart hurts and I’ve been fighting tears all day. I don’t want to go home even to,see my family. I’m scared. I shouldn’t feel scared to go to my hometown.

First earthquakes and now this. But as always Christchurch and New Zealand will rally around and get through it.