CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — On March 15, New Zealand changed. Some are calling it a loss of innocence, a reminder that distance doesn't bring protection against violence. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has vowed to change gun laws and investigate what went wrong. This is how 36 minutes of terror
1 / 9FILE - This undated file photo supplied by Abdi Ibrahim, shows his 3-year-old brother, Mucaad Ibrahim, the youngest known victim of the March 15, 2019, mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand. Mucaad Ibrahim had big brown eyes and always seemed to be laughing. In some ways, a friend says, he seemed like an old soul. He had an intelligence beyond his years. And he loved watching his big brother play soccer. unfolded, according to witness accounts and livestream video.
He says he settled on Christchurch because the mosque there, with its prominent golden dome, is busier and looks more distinctively foreign. The gunman's livestream shows him moving into the main prayer room and firing at everyone he sees. It is a big room and has few exits. Asif Shaikh, 44, tries to run but falls in the crush of bodies. He thinks about trying to make it to the exit when he sees somebody else make the same move and get shot. So he lies there, next to an old man who has been shot in the thigh. They are exposed and uncovered, but somehow they survive. Days later he still can't sleep, the sounds of gunshots ringing in his head.
He walks out again and shoots at a woman walking toward him on the street. She falls to the pavement and begs,"Help me! Help me!" before he shoots her again. When Paul Bennett, an ambulance driver, arrives later, he sees blood flowing along the terra cotta tiles.The shooter's rampage continues as he drives away from the Al Noor mosque. Yasir Amin and his father, Muhammad Amin Nasir, are walking along the sidewalk when a car stops and a man begins firing.
"It's unbelievable nutty," he says."I don't understand how anyone could do this to these people, to anyone. It's ridiculous." Inside, 33-year-old Elliot Dawson is praying with about 80 others when he hears the first shots. No one reacts at first because they're immersed in prayer.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Latest: Trump: Media trying to blame him for NZ attacksAustralian TV news networks have shown what they say are the mother and sister of alleged Christchurch mass killer Brenton Tarrant returning to their homes in eastern Australia with police searching for clues in the New Zealand mosque attacks
Read more »
The Latest: NZ mosque shooting investigation extends southThe Latest: New Zealand police say their investigation into mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch has extended south, where homes have been evacuated around a 'location of interest' in Dunedin.
Read more »
The Latest: At least 3 Bangladeshis killed in NZ shootingsCHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The Latest on shootings at mosques in New Zealand (all times local): 12:45 a.m. Bangladesh's honorary consul in Auckland, New Zealand, says three...
Read more »
The Latest: Police not aware of more suspects, 4 in custodyCHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The Latest on shootings at mosques in New Zealand (all times local): 6 p.m. New Zealand police say they're not aware of other suspects beyond the four...
Read more »
The Latest: NZealand police have 4 in custody, defuse bombsCHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The Latest on shootings at mosques in New Zealand (all times local): 5:30 p.m. New Zealand police say they have taken into custody three men and one...
Read more »
The Latest: 2nd mosque shooting reported in New ZealandCHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The Latest on shootings at mosques in New Zealand (all times local): 3:45 p.m. New Zealand media say a shooting has occurred in a second mosque in the...
Read more »
The Latest: New Zealand police warn people to avoid mosquesCHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The Latest on shootings at mosques in New Zealand (all times local): 4:30 p.m. Police have warned people to avoid mosques anywhere in New Zealand...
Read more »
The Latest: Ardern: New Zealand security threat level raisedCHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The Latest on shootings at mosques in New Zealand (all times local): 8 p.m. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the national security threat...
Read more »
The Latest: Police: Gunman acted alone, may have had supportThe Latest: New Zealand's police commissioner says while they believe only 1 attacker was responsible for the deadly mosque shooting, the support of other people hasn't been ruled out.
Read more »
The Latest: Death toll in mosque attacks rises to 50CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The Latest on shootings at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand (all times local): 10:05 a.m. Sunday New Zealand police say a 50th victim of the mosque...
Read more »
The Latest: NZ gov't to announce gun reforms within 10 daysCHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The Latest on the mosque shootings in New Zealand (all times local): 5:20 p.m. New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern says gun law reforms will be...
Read more »