Families of those missing in the New Zealand mosque attacks waited near Christchurch police cordons for news Saturday, as the bodies of the 49 victims began being formally identified.
The Details: The Prime Minister's Office confirmed late Saturday local time it had received a copy of a manifesto outlining the attack less than 10 minutes before it happened. Bodies were still being removed into New Zealand's evening from the Al Noor mosque, where 41 people died during Friday prayers. NZ Police Commissioner Mike Bush said police had not seen any evidence that there was more than one gunman involved in the attacks. There were 36 shooting victims in hospital, Canterbury District Health board said Saturday afternoon local time — 11 people were in critical condition, including a one-year-old boy.
The big picture: Egypt confirmed 4 of its citizens were among the massacre victims, and Jordan said three Jordanian nationals had died in the attacks. A 71-year-old man, originally from Afghanistan heard saying in video of the attack "welcome brother" before being shot, and a Syrian refugee were also confirmed to have died.
Daoud Nabi, 71, was the first of the 49 #ChristChurch victims to be identified.
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) March 15, 2019
He stood at the door, ready to pray, and welcomed the terrorist inside, "come in brother" were his last words.
The grandfather died trying to save someone else from a bullet. pic.twitter.com/4LF4QiXvrb
A nation mourns: Hundreds of people attended vigils at the mosques where the attacks occurred, Al Noor and Linwood Majid, in the South Island city. It's one of many being held across New Zealand this weekend. St Patrick's Day organizers in Auckland said a parade planned for Sunday would not go ahead. The world's biggest Polynesian dance festival, Polyfest, canceled the final day of competition Saturday, instead lowering the national flags in a moving traditional ceremony to pay tribute to the mosque victims.
Flags lowered to half mast at Polyfest today in tribute to the victims and their families in Christchurch.
Posted by The Coconet TV on Friday, March 15, 2019
- Prime minister Jacinda Ardern pledged to change the country's gun laws in response to the attacks.
- The prime minister told people at Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resources Centre earlier in the day: "New Zealand is united in its grief and we are united in our grief."
Jacinda Ardern at the Canterbury Refugee Resettlement and Resource Centre #TheyAreUs pic.twitter.com/lVcUM6wye9
— Sam Sachdeva (@SamSachdevaNZ) March 16, 2019
What's next? Mosque shootings suspect Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, is due to appear in a Christchurch court again on April 5 after being charged with a single count of murder. Police expect to lay more charges soon.
