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| Christchurch gunman Brenton Tarrant pleads guilty to 51 murders | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| A man accused of deadly attacks on mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch a year ago has pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder. | A man accused of deadly attacks on mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch a year ago has pleaded guilty to 51 charges of murder. |
| Brenton Tarrant, 29, also admitted the attempted murder of another 40 people, and one terrorism charge. | Brenton Tarrant, 29, also admitted the attempted murder of another 40 people, and one terrorism charge. |
| He had previously denied the charges and was due to go on trial in June. | He had previously denied the charges and was due to go on trial in June. |
| The gun attacks at two mosques sent shockwaves around the world. In the wake of the killings, New Zealand brought in stricter gun laws. | The gun attacks at two mosques sent shockwaves around the world. In the wake of the killings, New Zealand brought in stricter gun laws. |
| New Zealand is in a state of lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak and the plea was made at a scaled-down court hearing in Christchurch High Court on Thursday. | New Zealand is in a state of lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak and the plea was made at a scaled-down court hearing in Christchurch High Court on Thursday. |
| No members of the public were allowed in to the hearing and Tarrant, from New South Wales, Australia, and his lawyers appeared via video link. | |
| A representative of the two mosques that were attacked was allowed to attend the hearing to represent the victims and their families. | A representative of the two mosques that were attacked was allowed to attend the hearing to represent the victims and their families. |
| Judge Justice Mander said: "It is regrettable that the Covid-19 restrictions that presently apply do not permit victims and their families to travel to be present in the courtroom when the defendant entered his pleas of guilty." | Judge Justice Mander said: "It is regrettable that the Covid-19 restrictions that presently apply do not permit victims and their families to travel to be present in the courtroom when the defendant entered his pleas of guilty." |
| Sentencing on the 92 charges will take place at a date yet to be set. Tarrant was remanded in custody until 1 May. | Sentencing on the 92 charges will take place at a date yet to be set. Tarrant was remanded in custody until 1 May. |
| Farid Ahmed, who lost his wife Husna in the attack on Al Noor Mosque (Masjid An-Nur), told TVNZ that many would be relieved they did not have to go through the trial, but others would feel very sad, still thinking about their loved ones. | |
| Speaking of the gunman, he said: "I have been praying for him and he has taken the right direction. I am pleased he is feeling guilty, it is a good start." | |
| How did the attacks unfold? | |
| The shootings on 15 March 2019 began when the gunman drove to the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch, entered the building and began shooting. | |
| Less than 30 seconds later, he returned to his car, picked up another weapon, then re-entered the mosque and resumed his attack. | |
| Footage from a headcam he was wearing showed him pass from room to room, killing as he went. The shootings were broadcast on Facebook Live. | |
| He then drove to the Linwood mosque where he shot two people outside and then shot at the windows. | |
| A man from inside the mosque came outside, picked up one of the attacker's shotguns, and chased him away. | |
| Two police officers then chased and arrested the suspect. | |
| More on the Christchurch attacks |