#Newsflash: New Zealand mosque attack: Armed police deployed in Christchurch after 'active shooter' opens fire

Armed police have been deployed following a shooting at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Police declared a “critical incident” after the attack at the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Deans Avenue – where up to 500 people are thought to have been worshipping – and said an “active shooter” was in the area.

Reports suggested a second shooting may have taken place at a mosque in the Linwood suburb of Christchurch.

Radio New Zealand (RNZ), the public broadcaster, cited a witness as saying he had seen four people on the ground and “blood everywhere” at the first mosque.

Another person claimed a man had opened fire inside the mosque with an automatic weapon, while witness Len Peneha told AP he saw a man dressed in black enter the building before shots rang out.

Mr Peneha said he then saw the gunman flee before police arrived and that when he went inside he saw “dead people everywhere”.

Others witnesses told the New Zealand Herald they had heard more than two dozen gunshots.

Canterbury Police said on Twitter: “We have a critical incident in Deans Ave Christchurch. Please avoid the area. We will give more in the near future.”

Members of the Bangladesh cricket team were reportedly caught up in the Deans Avenue incident but not harmed.

New Zealand police commissioner Mike Bush said in a statement: “Police are responding [at] full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high.

“Police recommend that residents across Christchurch remain off the streets and indoors until further notice. Christchurch schools will be locked down until further notice.”

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RNZ cited Mustafa Farouk, the head of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, as saying between 300 and 500 worshippers were likely inside the mosque at the time of the attack. He said he had been told at least six people were wounded.

“Horrified to hear of Christchurch mosque shootings. There is never a justification for that sort of hatred,” said Amy Adams, a member of parliament from the city.

As well as locking down schools, police have reportedly cleared Cathedral Square, where children were staging a climate change protest.


Source from MSN News