BREAKING: 49 Dead, 47 Injured in Mass Shooting at Mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand [UPDATES]
[Updates at bottom of post]
Original article (10:54 pm ET): The AP and other news outlets are reporting that a mass shooting has taken place in one, or possibly two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
BREAKING: Witness says many dead in mass shooting at mosque in New Zealand city of Christchurch. https://t.co/A5Cm5Nhfh9
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 15, 2019
Police have confirmed they responded to a call, and television outlets in New Zealand and Australia have extensively reported on the shooting over the last hour. In one report from New Zealand-based outlet TVNZ, they described the situation on the ground as chaotic, with police locking down neighborhoods and schools in the area of the two affected mosques.
Reports on the number of people killed or injured vary greatly, anywhere between six and 30 people. TVNZ reported over 20 ambulances are already on scene, and triage at a nearby home.
This post will be updated with more information as it becomes available.
UPDATE:
11:24pm ET: Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern just spoke live on the shooting, during which she said that there may still be “active” shooter in the “unfolding” situation. She advised residents to remain indoors, and said that the events are evolving across “multiple sites.”
11:53pm ET: Prime Minister’s remarks here. (VIDEO)
12:13am ET: Confirmed that shooter live streamed the massacre via Facebook.
The New Zealand massacre was livestreamed on Facebook, announced on 8chan, reposted on YouTube, commentated about on Reddit, and mirrored around the world before the tech companies could even react.
— Drew Harwell (@drewharwell) March 15, 2019
12:43am ET: The police say they have suspects in custody, the AP confirms. The Prime Minister about an hour earlier had confirmed at least one in custody.
BREAKING: New Zealand police say 3 men and 1 woman in custody over shootings at 2 mosques in Christchurch.
— The Associated Press (@AP) March 15, 2019
1:53am ET: Credible reports that have not been confirmed by police that one of the suspected shooters had a “manifesto” filled with anti-immigration and anti-Muslim rhetoric along with other far right beliefs, and was a citizen or former citizen of Australia.
2:01 am ET: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison confirmed in a press briefing that one of the suspects in custody is an Australian citizen.
As family members with our New Zealand cousins today, we grieve, we are shocked, we are appalled, we are outraged, and we stand here and condemn absolutely the attack that occurred today by an extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist. Who has taken the lives, stolen the lives, in a vicious, murderous attack, that has claimed so many New Zealanders.
2:49 am ET: The Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern spoke moments ago from Wellington and confirmed the casualties at 40 dead and 20 seriously injured, at latest report. Ardern also clarified that only three, not four, suspects are in custody, but did not offer many details on the individuals.
“It is clear that this can now only be described as a terrorist attack,” says New Zealand Prime Minister of the shootings at two mosques in the country, which she says have left 40 dead and more than 20 injured. https://t.co/3j6nibpVT7 pic.twitter.com/AwgSkmkCF5
— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 15, 2019
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[Featured image via screengrab]
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