Police step up security at mosques around US after New Zealand terrorist attack
- The NYPD sent extra officers to mosques around New York for early prayers
- There was also an increase at mosques around Los Angeles
- Mayor Bill de Blasio said there was no credible threat and it was a precaution
- The Chicago Police Department also announced it was beefing up security
- He denounced the atrocity in Christchurch in which 49 people were killed
- President Trump has extended the country’s support to New Zealand in light of it
Police forces around the US stepped up security at mosques on Friday after 49 people were slaughtered in a terrorist attack in New Zealand.
In New York City, NYPD officers were seen patrolling outside mosques with sniffer dogs and offering support inside before morning prayers commenced.
There was a similar increase in Los Angeles and Chicago.
Dozens of people were killed at the Al Noor mosque and another nearby mosque on Friday by 28-year-old white Australian terrorist Brenton Tarrant.
There was an increased NYPD presence outside an Upper East Side mosque for Friday prayers after the terror attack at a mosque in New Zealand which claimed 49 lives
NYPD officer also used sniffer dogs to search the buildings before worshipers were allowed inside
In this photograph shared by the NYPD, an officer is shown inside watching over worshipers while they pray
As he committed mass murder, another attack unfolded at the nearby Masjid in Linwood mosque.
In total, 49 people were killed and 48 were injured. It is the deadliest mass shooting in the country’s history.
An NYPD spokesman told DailyMail.com on Friday morning: ‘The NYPD, in conjunction with our law enforcement partners, is closely monitoring events in New Zealand, and out of an abundance of caution is assessing security at locations around the city.’
LAPD tweeted: ‘The LAPD is monitoring the horrific events unfolding in Christchurch, New Zealand.
NYPD patrols were seen outside mosques before dawn on Friday to offe extra protection
‘While this attack appears to be an isolated incident with no nexus to LA, out of an abundance of caution we’re providing extra patrols around mosques.
‘Our thoughts & prayers are with all affected.’
President Trump, who is named in the shooter’s sickening manifesto as a ‘symbol of renewed white identity’, denounced it on Friday as a ‘horrible massacre’.
The gunman, Brenton Tarrant, said that he wanted to create a civil war in America by reigniting the debate surrounding guns.
He is now in custody along with two other men and a woman.
An LAPD vehicle was stationed outside the Islamic Center in Los Angeles on Friday morning
The LAPD also said it had boosted its security around the city’s mosques on Friday as a precaution
49 people were killed and 48 were injured in two shootings between two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday morning