New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday promised to reform the country's gun laws, a day after at least one gunman attacked worshippers in two mosques, killing 49 and wounding 42 others.[CHRISTCHURCH] New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Saturday promised to reform the country's gun laws, a day after at least one gunman attacked worshippers in two mosques, killing 49 and wounding 42 others.
The gunman broadcast footage of the attack on one of the mosques in the city of Christchurch on social media. A"manifesto" was also posted online, denouncing immigrants as"invaders".The video footage, posted live online as the attack unfolded, showed a man driving to the mosque, entering it and shooting randomly at people inside.Worshippers, possibly dead or wounded, lay on the floor, the video showed. Reuters was unable to confirm the authenticity of the footage.
Ms Ardern said the main perpetrator used five weapons during his rampage, including two semi-automatic weapons and two shotguns, which he was legally licensed to own.The man facing murder charges was an Australian citizen who had spent a lot of time travelling overseas and spent time only sporadically in New Zealand, Ms Ardern said.Among the wounded, two were in a critical condition, including a four-year-old child, he said.
US President Donald Trump, who condemned the attack as a"horrible massacre", was praised by the accused gunman in a manifesto posted online as"a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose". "I blame these increasing terror attacks on the current Islamophobia post-9/11," Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan posted on social media."1.3 billion Muslims have collectively been blamed for any act of terror."One man who said he was at the Al Noor mosque told media the gunman burst into the mosque as worshippers were kneeling for prayers.
Ms Ardern said she had asked authorities to look into whether there was any activity on social media or elsewhere ahead of the attack that should have triggered a response.
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Source: The Straits Times - 🏆 8. / 63 Read more »