WELLINGTON, March 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three men and one woman are in custody, New Zealand police said following the shooting in Christchurch city that left several fatalities.
At a press conference here, NZ Police Commissioner, Mike Bush said the police was also not discounting more people involved in the shooting.
Meanwhile, NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, has described the event as among “the darkest days” in the country.
Earlier New Zealand police were said to be hunting “an active shooter” in the centre of Christchurch city on Friday after a gunman opened fire at The Al Noor mosque inflicting several casualties.
A witness told media that a man dressed in a military-style, camouflage outfit, and carrying an automatic rifle had started randomly shooting people in the mosque.
“A serious and evolving situation is occurring in Christchurch with an active shooter,” New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.
“Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high.”
The Bangladesh cricket team was going to Friday prayers at the mosque, the Masjid Al Noor, when the shooting occurred but all members were safe, a team coach said.
Media reported that a gunman opened fire inside mosque in Christchurch’s Hagley Park district. There were reports of armed police at a second mosque in the suburb of Linwood.
People in centre of the city should stay indoors, police said. All Christchurch schools and council buildings have been placed into lockdown.
Police did not immediately comment on whether the incident took place in the mosque or nearby. There is no official confirmation on casualties.
Media said shots had been fired near a mosque and a witness told broadcaster One News that he had seen three people lying on the ground, bleeding outside the building.
Radio New Zealand quoted a witness inside the mosque saying he heard shots fired and at least four people were lying on the ground and “there was blood everywhere”.
The Bangladesh cricket team is in Christchurch to play New Zealand in a third cricket test starting on Saturday.
“They were on the bus, which was just pulling up to the mosque when the shooting begun,” Mario Villavarayen, strength and conditioning coach of the Bangladesh cricket team, said in a message.
“They are shaken but good.”
Muslims account for just over 1 percent of New Zealand’s population, a 2013 census showed. — NNN-AGENCIES
