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Shooter feared to be at large, Indonesian in Christchurch reports on mosque shooting
Schools across Christchurch remain in lockdown.
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New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaks on live television following fatal shootings at two mosques in central Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday morning. (TVNZ via Reuters/-)
A
n Indonesian who lives not far from Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, where a shooting had taken place on Friday morning, said residents in the city were told to stay at home because "the shooter is feared still at large".
Agi Safitri told The Jakarta Post on Friday at 10:46 a.m. Jakarta time that she could hear the sound of helicopters flying over the neighborhood.
"Due to the ongoing serious firearms incident in Central Christchurch, police would like to remind all parents and caregivers that schools across the city remain in lockdown," the New Zealand Police said on its Twitter account.
1/4 Due to the ongoing serious firearms incident in Central Christchurch Police would like to remind all parents and caregivers that schools across the city remain in lock down.There is no timeframe at this stage for when the lock down will be lifted. The children are being...
— New Zealand Police (@nzpolice) March 15, 2019
One alleged shooter has been arrested, but New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said as quoted by AFP that there may be "other offenders" involved in the shootings.
"This is one of New Zealand's darkest days," Ardern said. "Clearly what has happened here is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence."
New Zealand's Police commissioner, Mike Bush, was quoted by Reuters as saying that multiple fatalities occurred at two mosques, where at least one gunman had opened fire on worshippers.
Witnesses described seeing a man dressed in a military-style, camouflage outfit and carrying an automatic rifle randomly shooting people in Al Noor mosque.
Police have one person in custody, but they were not sure if others were involved, Reuters reported.
Bush urged people to stay away from mosques for the time being. (evi)
