Currents News Staff
The man accused of opening fire in two mosques may have planned a third shooting.
“We strongly believe we stopped him on the way to a further attack. So lives were saved by our staff,” said New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush.
A 28-year-old Australian is charged with murder and additional charges are expected.
“Speak the names of those who were lost, rather than the name of the man who took them. He may have sought notoriety, but we, in New Zealand, will give him nothing, not even his name,” said New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
Authorities say they are gathering all the information needed for prosecution.
“Of course, we would like to do this as quickly as possible, but it must be done as professionally and accurately as possible,” said Bush.
As the investigation continues, funerals for shooting victims were held Wednesday, local time.
“We are talking to each other. We console each other, we support each other, and we grieve together, you know as a community,” said Azam Khan, one of the survivors.
Aliya Danzeisen of the Women’s Organization of Waikato Muslim Association said, “Everybody is grieving here, and from the Prime Minister down to young children in schools.”
The country will hold a two-minute silence to honor the victims of the massacre on Friday.
“Let New Zealand be a place where there is no tolerance for racism. Ever. And that’s something we can all do,” said Ardern.