A terror attack occurred yesterday targeting two mosques in Christchurch New Zealand, with multiple fatalities reported by Associated Press. Police Commissioner, Mike Bush, would not elaborate on the details of how many people were lost. Local authorities report that they have four people in custody but are currently not aware of any other suspects at this time. The local police report says that they also defused a number of I.E.D.s found on vehicles outside the two mosques.

It started at 5:30 pm as the gunman walked into into a mosque.  He opened fire into the crowd of people and also live-streamed the whole entire massacre. A man claiming the responsibility left a 74-page anti-immigrant manifesto describing why he committed this heinous act.

Victims & Witnesses

Mohan Ibrahim who was there at the scene stated to the New Zealand Herald: “At first we thought it was an electric shock but then all these people started running. I still have friends inside. I have been calling my friends but there are many I haven’t heard from. I am scared for my friends lives.”

Witness Len Peneha stated, “I saw dead people everywhere.”

Peneha said he saw a man dressed in black enter the Masjid Al Noor mosque followed by dozens of shots and people running for their lives reported by Associated Press. Peneha also said that he saw the gunman flee before emergency vehicles could arrive.

Sam Clarke, a reporter with TVNZ talked to several people that were present when the shootings occurred. Clarke stated to Al Jazeera that some got away through windows and doors but many people as young as 16 were shot.

“About 10 to 15 people were seen outside the mosque, “some alive, some dead” said Clarke.

Dark Days for New Zealand

Although New Zealand media confirmed a second shooting and targeted other mosques, no further details are immediately available.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that this day was “one of New Zealand’s darkest days.” In a news conference later on that day Ardern stated “What has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence.  Many people affected may be migrants or refugees they have chosen to make New Zealand their home and it is their home. They are us. The person who has perpetuated this violence against us is not.”

We will update the story with more information.