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New Zealand Police Hunt Mosque Gunman; Witness: 'Many Dead'

by Associated Press

   CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND --

   Many people were killed in a mass shooting at a mosque in the New
   Zealand city of Christchurch on Friday, a witness said. And New Zealand
   police were hunting "an active shooter" in the center of Christchurch.

   "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 told Reuters.

   Witness Len Peneha said he saw a man dressed in black enter the Masjid
   Al Noor mosque in central Christchurch about 1:45 p.m. and then heard
   dozens of shots, followed by people running from the mosque in terror.

   Peneha, who lives next door to the mosque, said the gunman ran out of
   the mosque, dropped what appeared to be a semi-automatic weapon in
   Peneha's driveway, and fled.

   Peneha said he then went into the mosque to try and help.

   "I saw dead people everywhere. There were three in the hallway, at the
   door leading into the mosque, and people inside the mosque," he said.
   "It's unbelievable nutty. I don't understand how anyone could do this
   to these people, to anyone. It's ridiculous."

   He said he helped about five people recover in his home. He said one
   was slightly injured.

   "I've lived next door to this mosque for about five years and the
   people are great, they're very friendly," he said. "I just don't
   understand it."

   He said the gunman was white and was wearing a helmet with some kind of
   device on top, giving him a military-type appearance.

   The New Zealand Herald reported there was a second shooting at the
   Linwood Masjid Mosque.

   Mark Nichols told the Herald he heard about five gunshots and that a
   Friday prayer-goer returned fire with a rifle or shotgun. Nichols said
   he saw two injured people being carried out on stretchers past his
   automotive shop and that both people appeared to be alive.

   New Zealand historically has had only a handful of mass shootings
   events.

   The Reuters news agency contributed to this report.