Witnesses describe moment gunman open fired in New Zealand mosque

‘People dropped dead in front of me’: Christchurch shooting witnesses reveal how they smashed through windows to escape ‘Australian’ gunman who opened fire in a packed mosque – killing several

  • Ahmad Al-Mahmoud said gunman was wearing a ‘helmet’ and ‘army’ gear 
  • Dozens are reportedly dead after the shooter opened fire at Noor Mosque  
  • Witnesses have said they saw ‘blood everywhere’ and people seriously injured 

Witnesses have described the horrifying moment a gunman open fired in a New Zealand mosque, killing several people. 

A man dressed in army gear stormed into Noor Mosque in Christchurch around 1.40pm local time, opening fire while hundreds of people were taking part in Friday prayer.

‘The guy was wearing like an army [suit]. He had a big gun and lots of bullets. He came through and started shooting everyone in the mosque, everywhere,’ Ahmad Al-Mahmoud told Stuff.

‘They had to smash the door – the glass from the window and the door – to get everyone out.

‘We were trying to get everyone to run away from this area. I ran away from the car park, jumping through the back [yard] of houses.’

A man who fled the shooting (pictured) said he hid behind the mosque to call the police after hearing gunshots 

A man dressed in 'army' gear entered Noor Mosque in Christchurch around 1.40pm local time opening fire while hundreds of people were taking part in Friday prayer

A man dressed in ‘army’ gear entered Noor Mosque in Christchurch around 1.40pm local time opening fire while hundreds of people were taking part in Friday prayer 

Several people have reportedly been killed, with a dead body seen near Al Noor Mosque (interior pictured). The mosque is said to have a capacity of 300 people

Several people have reportedly been killed, with a dead body seen near Al Noor Mosque (interior pictured). The mosque is said to have a capacity of 300 people 

Police have urged people near the area to stay indoors and report suspicious behaviour, describing the incident as 'critical'

Police have urged people near the area to stay indoors and report suspicious behaviour, describing the incident as ‘critical’

Al-Mahmoud said the man was ‘wearing a helmet’ and must have fired ‘hundreds’ of gunshots.    

Another witness said he ran behind the mosque to call the police after hearing the gun go off. 

‘I heard the sound of the gun. And the second one I heard, I ran. Lots of people were sitting on the floor. I ran behind the mosque, rang the police. 

‘I saw one gun on the floor. Lots of people died and injured.’  

Police have urged people near the area to stay indoors and report suspicious behaviour, describing the incident as ‘critical’. 

A man inside the mosque at the time of the shooting said there ‘bodies all over me’. 

Witnesses inside also reported seeing 15 people being shot, including children.

A man who escaped the mosque during the shooting said he saw his wife lying dead on the footpath.

‘My wife is dead,’ he said while wailing. 

One of the gunmen is believed to have live-streamed the mass shooting inside the Al Noor Mosque, which happened at 1.30pm as Friday prayers were underway

One of the gunmen is believed to have live-streamed the mass shooting inside the Al Noor Mosque, which happened at 1.30pm as Friday prayers were underway

Authorities have not released a confirmed number of deaths, but witnesses say the death toll can be over a dozen. Above ambulance staff are seen taking a man from outside the mosque

Authorities have not released a confirmed number of deaths, but witnesses say the death toll can be over a dozen. Above ambulance staff are seen taking a man from outside the mosque 

Police attempt to move people away from outside a mosque in central Christchurch. Many people were killed in a mass shooting but there is still no confirmed number of deaths

Police attempt to move people away from outside a mosque in central Christchurch. Many people were killed in a mass shooting but there is still no confirmed number of deaths

The gunman entered and opened fire while hundreds of people were inside the packed mosque for Friday prayers

The gunman entered and opened fire while hundreds of people were inside the packed mosque for Friday prayers

A video seen by Daily Mail Australia shows the man firing multiple shots at dozens of people as they try to flee. The gunman is still at large.

People were also reportedly shot at the nearby Linwood Masjid mosque.

Several people have reportedly been killed, with a dead body seen near Al Noor Mosque. 

The mosque has capacity to hold more than 300 people. The number of deaths has not been confirmed. 

The Bangladesh cricket team – who are currently on tour in New Zealand – were inside the mosque praying at the time of the shooting and were forced to flee for their lives, ESPN reported. 

A witness told Radio New Zealand he heard shots fired and saw ‘blood everywhere’. 

Mr Jama said four people were injured and that he saw two people lying on the ground. He did not know if they were alive or dead, Stuff reported.  

There may have been more than one shooter inside the mosque, the New Zealand Herald reported.



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