Christchurch mosque attacks: New Zealand police charges shooter with terrorism; Brenton Tarrant ordered to undergo psychiatric test
New Zealand police have charged Brenton Tarrant, the man accused of murder in shootings at two Christchurch mosques in March, with engaging in a terrorist act.
-
He had targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers with semi-automatic weapons, killing 51 worshippers and wounding dozens of people
-
Tuesday’s charge under terrorism suppression legislation was filed against Brenton Tarrant, police said.
-
An additional charge of murder and two more charges of attempted murder have also been filed against Tarrant
Wellington: New Zealand police have charged the man accused of murder in shootings at two Christchurch mosques in March with engaging in a terrorist act, they said on Tuesday.
In an attack broadcast live on Facebook, a lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers, killing 51 worshippers and wounding dozens of people.
Brenton Tarrant, the gunman who opened fire at two mosques in New Zealand's Christchurch. AP
Tuesday’s charge under terrorism suppression legislation was filed against Brenton Tarrant, police said.
“The charge will allege that a terrorist act was carried out in Christchurch on 15 March 2019,” Commissioner of Police Mike Bush said in a statement.
An additional charge of murder and two more charges of attempted murder have also been filed against Tarrant, so that the suspected white supremacist faces a total of 51 charges of murder and 40 of attempted murder.
Tarrant’s lawyer did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment.
Tarrant is next due to appear in court on 14 June, after being remanded in custody in April and ordered to undergo psychiatric assessment to determine if he was fit to stand trial.
Police notified roughly 200 family members of attack victims and survivors about the additional charges at a meeting on Tuesday, the statement added.
also read
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Shipley's five-for guides Black Caps to dominant 198-run win in 1st ODI
Henry Shipley collected 5 for 31 as Sri Lanka were bowled out for a paltry 76 — their lowest ODI total against New Zealand — after being set 275 to win in the first ODI in Auckland.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Dead battery saves Chamika Karunaratne from getting run-out in 1st ODI
Karunaratne fell well short of the non-striker's end after getting involved in a mix-up, with Blair Tickner breaking the stumps before his bat could cross the crease, only for a zing bail to malfunction and save the batter.
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: Dominant New Zealand close on series sweep of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka reached 113-2 in their second innings at stumps on day three but still trailed by 303 runs at Wellington's Basin Reserve