Brenton Tarrant’s mother is seen for the first time since Christchurch massacre

The mother of accused terrorist Brenton Tarrant has been seen for the first time since the Christchurch massacre, as she spoke with police who were raiding her house.

Sharon Tarrant emerged from her home just before 12pm on Monday, as Australian Federal Police finished a three-hour search of her house near Grafton on the NSW north coast.

Wearing a blue and pink floral blouse, she was supported by a middle-aged man and flanked by detectives.

Mrs Tarrant did not respond to questions as she got into a police car.

Accused killer Brenton Tarrant’s mother, Sharon Tarrant (pictured) was seen for the first time since the Christchurch massacre as she emerged from her home near Grafton after police conducted a three-hour raid 

The mum, wearing a purple floral top, appeared emotionless as she walked to a police car who drove her to an undisclosed location

She did not answer any questions as she walked to the car

The mum, wearing a purple floral top, appeared emotionless as she walked to a police car who drove her to an undisclosed location. She did not answer any questions as she got in her ride

She was then driven away to a undisclosed location where she has been staying with her daughter Lauren since Friday night.

Officers earlier left the house with a few bags of evidence after a three-hour raid. 

Meanwhile, heavily-armed police were also seen searching the accused gunman’s Dunedin home on Monday morning.

Officers arrived at the Anderson’s Bay house at the same time Australian Federal Police were carrying out simultaneous raids at Tarrant’s mother’s and sister’s homes near Grafton.

The one-bedroom house in New Zealand has been Tarrant’s home for the past two years, and it is believed to be where he planned the terror attacks.

Eight specialist search officers were seen putting on hazardous-material suits and gloves before they entered the suburban house, just after 11.30am local time.

They focused a lot of their search on the roof of the weatherboard house and on bushes and garden around the property.

New Zealand police officers arrive at the Dunedin home of accused killer Brenton Tarrant

New Zealand police officers arrive at the Dunedin home of accused killer Brenton Tarrant

Forensic police were seen entering Tarrant's home at 11.30am to begin a search of the rental house he has lived at for the past two years

Forensic police were seen entering Tarrant’s home at 11.30am to begin a search of the rental house he has lived at for the past two years

Brenton Tarrant's mother's home in Lawrence, near Grafton NSW was also searched by police

Brenton Tarrant’s mother’s home in Lawrence, near Grafton NSW was also searched by police

The one-bedroom house has been Tarrant's home for the past two years, and it is believed to be where he planned the terror attacks

The one-bedroom house has been Tarrant’s home for the past two years, and it is believed to be where he planned the terror attacks

Officers searched through garden beds and bushes as part of their raid on Tarrant's rental home

Officers searched through garden beds and bushes as part of their raid on Tarrant’s rental home

Officers arrived at the Anderson's Bay house on Monday morning, at the same time Australian Federal Police were carrying out simultaneous raids at Tarrant's mother and sister's homes near Grafton

Officers arrived at the Anderson’s Bay house on Monday morning, at the same time Australian Federal Police were carrying out simultaneous raids at Tarrant’s mother and sister’s homes near Grafton

Eight specialist search officers were seen putting on hazardous-material suits and gloves before they entered the suburban house, just after 11.30am local time

Eight specialist search officers were seen putting on hazardous-material suits and gloves before they entered the suburban house, just after 11.30am local time

Police would not comment to Daily Mail Australia on the raid, only saying it was an ‘ongoing investigation’.

Meanwhile, counter-terrorism police have raided two homes in Australia as part of investigations into the Christchurch terrorist attack.

Officers from the NSW Joint Counter Terrorism Team searched a property in Sandy Beach, near Coffs Harbour on the NSW north coast about 8.30am on Monday, before storming a second house at Lawrence, near Maclean.

‘The primary aim of the activity is to formally obtain material that may assist New Zealand Police in their ongoing investigation,’ the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police said in a joint statement. 

They focused a lot of their search on the roof of the weatherboard house

They focused a lot of their search on the roof of the weatherboard house

Police would not comment to Daily Mail Australia on the raid, saying it was an ongoing investigation

Police would not comment to Daily Mail Australia on the raid, saying it was an ongoing investigation

New Zealand Police searched near the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on Monday

New Zealand Police searched near the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch on Monday

Officers inspected vehicles and the streets near the mosque as people came to pay their respects to those who died

Officers inspected vehicles and the streets near the mosque as people came to pay their respects to those who died

Meanwhile, officers also searched the Dunedin home of Brenton Tarrant

Meanwhile, officers also searched the Dunedin home of Brenton Tarrant

Brenton Tarrant’s sister Lauren lives at the Sandy Beach property while his mother Sharon lives in Lawrence. 

There is a heavy police presence at both properties. 

NSW Police said there was no threat to the community related to both searches. 

Tarrant, 28, was charged with murder after he allegedly shot and killed 50 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand on Friday.

Tarrant’s mother is a teacher at a local school. She had to be whisked away by police mid-class when reports of the attack first came through on Friday.

She and Tarrant’s sister have been placed under police protection, without mobile phone contact with the rest of their family.

New Zealand Police officers from the Special Search Operations group prepare to forensically examine the home of Brenton Tarrant

New Zealand Police officers from the Special Search Operations group prepare to forensically examine the home of Brenton Tarrant

Counter-terrorism police have raided two homes in Australia including that of Brenton Tarrant's sister Lauren(pictured) as part of investigations into the Christchurch terrorist attack

Counter-terrorism police have raided two homes in Australia including that of Brenton Tarrant’s sister Lauren(pictured) as part of investigations into the Christchurch terrorist attack

Brenton Tarrant's sister Lauren lives at the Sandy Beach property (pictured) while his mother Sharon lives in Lawrence

Brenton Tarrant’s sister Lauren lives at the Sandy Beach property (pictured) while his mother Sharon lives in Lawrence

He grew up in the north-eastern NSW town of Grafton before moving to New Zealand in 2017.

Tarrant’s family has been assisting police with their inquiries after the massacre. 

The last time Tarrant returned home to NSW was for his sister’s birthday last year.

Tarrant grew up in this house in Grafton in the Northern River region of Australia's New South Wales

Tarrant grew up in this house in Grafton in the Northern River region of Australia’s New South Wales

The last time Tarrant (pictured) returned home to NSW was for his sister's birthday last year

The last time Tarrant (pictured) returned home to NSW was for his sister’s birthday last year 

TIMELINE OF TERROR: HOW THE CHRISTCHURCH MASSACRE THAT CLAIMED 50 LIVES UNFOLDED

A 28-year-old Australian man entered a mosque in central Christchurch on Friday afternoon and opened fire on people gathered inside the building – killing 50 people and leaving dozens more injured.

This is how the incident unfolded in local New Zealand Time.

1.40pm: First reports of a shooting at a mosque in central Christchurch. 

A man entered the mosque with an automatic weapon and opened fire on people inside. 

2.11pm: Police confirmed they were attending an ‘evolving situation’ in Christchruch.

Gunshots are heard in the area outside Masid Al Noor Mosque on Deans Avenue.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with one saying she attempted to give CPR to an injured person but they died.

2.17pm: Multiple schools went into lockdown in Christchurch. 

People who were in the mosque began to leave covered in blood and with gunshot wounds.

2.47pm: First reports of six people dead, three in a critical condition and three with serious injuries.

2.54pm:  Police Commissioner Mike Bush said the situation is ‘serious and evolving’ and told people to remain indoors and stay off the streets.

The Canterbury District Health Board activated its mass casualty plan.

3.12pm: New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern cancelled her afternoon arrangements.

3.21pm: Christchurch City Council locked down many of their central city buildings. 

3.33pm: First reports of a bomb in a beige Subaru that crashed on Strickland Street, three kilometres from the shootings.

3.40pm: Police confirmed there were multiple simultaneous attacks on mosques in Christchurch.

3.45pm: Reports of multiple shots fired at the shootings, which are ongoing.

3.59pm: 300 people were reported to be inside the moque.

4.00pm: One person is confirmed to be in custody but there are warnings there may be others out there.

Police commissioner Mike Bush urges Muslims across New Zealand to stay away from their local mosque.

4.10pm: Jacinda Ardern calls Friday ‘one of New Zealand’s darkest days’. 

5.27pm: First reports of a second shooting.

A witness said a Muslim local chased the shooters at the mosque in Linwood, firing in ‘self defence’. 

5.31pm: Four people are confirmed to be in custody. including one woman.

Multiple fatalities were reported.

7.07pm: It was confirmed an AR15 rifle was used in the attack.

7.20pm: Dunedin Street was cordoned off.

Reports the attackers planned to also target the Al Huda Mosque.

7.26pm: At least 40 people were confirmed dead, Jacinda Ardern confirmed.

7.34pm: Confirmed that 48 people were being treated in hospital. 

7.46pm: Britomart train station in central Auckland was evacuated after bags were found unattended.

The bags were deemed not suspicious. 

8.35pm: New Zealand’s Government confirmed this is the first time ever the terror level has been lifted from low to high.

9.03pm: Police Commissioner Mike Bush confirms that the death toll has risen to 49.

Brenton Tarrant was later charged with murder, and the death toll has since risen to 50.

 

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