Schools and other areas in central Christchurch, New Zealand are currently in lockdown after a gunman reportedly opened fire at Masjid Al Noor mosque on Deans Avenue.
TVNZ reports that eyewitnesses have claimed that up to fifteen people may have been hit in the shooting. The report states that multiple people have been sighted arriving on stretchers at Christchurch Hospital.
A witness told Radio New Zealand that they heard shots being fired inside the mosque and saw at least four people lying on the ground. It is believed that there were 300 people inside the mosque at the time of the shooting.
According to initial reports, the Bangladesh cricket team was at the mosque for Friday prayer when the shooting began.
The Guardian has reported that there is a bomb in a car on Strickland Street. The report claims “The bomb is located inside a beige Subaru that has crashed on Strickland Street, about 3km from the Al Noor Mosque where the shooting took place.” “You’re not safe here, there’s a bomb in that car,” a senior police officer reportedly told Eleanor Ainge Roy.
All schools in Christchurch have been put into lockdown, as well as Christchurch Hospital. The Canterbury District Health Board have urged the public not to attend Christchurch Hospital unless it is an emergency.
https://twitter.com/NZPCanterbury/status/1106358331860357121?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.triplem.com.au%2Fstory%2Fbreaking-shooting-at-christchurch-mosque-131581
This story is developing.
Police have posted a series of updates on their Twitter.
2/5 however we can confirm there have been a number of fatalities. Police is currently at a number of scenes. We understand that there will be many anxious people but I can assure New Zealanders that Police is doing all it can to resolve this incident.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) March 15, 2019
4/5 …residents to stay inside. We ask all mosques nationally to shut their doors, and advise that people refrain from visiting these premises until further notice.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) March 15, 2019
Police are aware there is extremely distressing footage relating to the incident in Christchurch circulating online. We would strongly urge that the link not be shared. We are working to have any footage removed.
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) March 15, 2019
Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has also offered an update in a press conference. When asked if she would describe this attack as a hate crime, Arden says: “I would describe it as an unprecedented act of violence.”
