TWO gunmen have opened fire at two New Zealand mosques today killing up to 30 people including kids in a sickening double massacre.
Shooters executed Muslim worshippers in Christchurch during Friday prayers – with one live-streaming the slaughter on Facebook in a 17-minute video.
Three men and one woman are in custody following the shootings at Masjid Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Masjid Mosque in Christchurch at around 1.40pm local time.
He fired automatic weapons as people ran for their lives and executed people at point blank range – including one girl who lied on the floor screaming for help.
CHILLING MANIFESTO
The shooter – believed to be a 27-year-old Australian with British parents – also published a chilling 94 page manifesto online explaining why he had done it.
The video was published on the Facebook account of a man named Brenton Tarrant – and this profile has since been removed.
The names of the gunmen have not yet been confirmed by police.
In twisted footage, the gunman says “let’s get this party started” as he drives up to a mosque playing loud music.
He also says “Remember lads, subscribe to pewdiepie”, referencing the controversial YouTuber.
LIVE-STREAMED SLAUGHTER
The man is seen taking automatic weapons from his boot, daubed in bizarre references to historic Muslim wars.
He then enters and shoots down multiple people in the prayer room, as they run in panic.
The man shoots several people from the car park before stalking through the building, picking off people and shooting bodies on the floor.
The man then walks back outside and shoots a young girl on the pavement as she screams for someone to help.
The sicko drives off boasting about how he “should have stayed longer” and blaring music including “Fire” by The Crazy World of Arthur Brown.
Following the shootings, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it is “one of New Zealand’s darkest days”.
In a press conference, Police Commissioner Mike Bush warned: “We’re not assuming this is contained to Christchurch.”
He revealed that police in the city and elsewhere will be carrying guns for the next week or so.
Mr Bush said “there have been some absolute acts of bravery” in the arrests of the four attackers as he confirmed a “significant” amount of casualties.
“This is absolutely tragic. So many people are affected,” he said.
“We don’t have the identities of those who have died yet because those places are in lockdown.”
He said he would not assume there are not other attackers.
The lock down of schools throughout Christchurch was lifted at 5.50pm.
CRICKET TEAM CAUGHT UP IN CARNAGE
The Bangladesh cricket team among worshippers caught up in the carnage – although all escaped unharmed.
Mohammed Nazir told TVNZ he saw three women bleeding on the ground outside at Masjid Al Noor Mosque.
Another witness told the station: “My husband was driving past he said he took three people to the hospital, one was a little girl all been shot.
“He wanted to take more he said there was like a dozen people just lying on the road.”
Small children are said to be among the dead, and bodies have been reported laying on the ground outside.
A massive police response is under way with the city locked down.
Canterbury Police tweeted: “We have a critical incident in Christchurch. Please avoid the area. We will give more in the near future.”
The Bangladesh cricket team was at the mosque for Friday prayer when the shooting started.
Tamim Iqbal tweeted: “Entire team got saved from active shooters!!! Frightening experience and please keep us in your prayers.”
Mushfiqur Rahim said: “Alhamdulillah Allah save us today while shooting in Christchurch in the mosque…we r extremely lucky…never want to see this things happen again….pray for us”.
The upcoming third Test between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been called off following the mass shootings. (The Sun)
