Christchurch mosque terrorist shootings: What you need to know

Forty-nine people are dead after gunmen opened fire on two Christchurch mosques. A man in his late 20s has been charged with murder. 

TWO MOSQUE SHOOTINGS

Police were alerted to a shooting at a mosque on Deans Ave, near Hagley Park, at 1.53pm on Friday. It is believed the shooting began about 1.40pm.

There were at least 300 people in the Deans Ave mosque. 

A second attack took place at a Linwood mosque on Aldwins Rd was reported about half an hour later. One gunman is believed to be responsible for both shootings, police say.

Police escorted several people, believed to be worshippers, out of the mosque at 2.20pm. 

A witness said she heard gunshots at the Linwood mosque at 1.45pm. That would be about five minutes after the Deans Ave shootings. 

MAN CHARGED WITH MURDER

A man has been charged with murder and appeared in Christchurch District Court on Saturday morning.

The gunman identified himself as 28 year old, Australian-born Brenton Tarrant.

He was not previously on any terror or police watchlists. 

'THIS IS A TERRORIST ATTACK'

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called the shootings a terrorist attack.

"It is clear that this is one of New Zealand's darkest days," she said. "This is an extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence."

In reference to the attackers, she said "You may have chosen us – we utterly reject and condemn you."

Ardern said many of those in the mosques were likely to be migrants – but "they are us".

"The person who has committed this act against us is not. They have no place in New Zealand."

Ardern said gun laws will change in light of the shooting.

VICTIM TOLL

49 people are dead. 41 were killed at the Deans Ave mosque, and 7 died at the Linwood Ave mosque. One person died in hospital after suffering serious wounds. 

48 people with gunshot wounds were admitted to Christchurch Hospital. 

CAR BOMBS DISARMED

Police found two IEDs (improvised explosive devices) under one car in the city, believed to be the gold Subaru the shooter ws driving. 

The bombs have been assessed by the Defence Force and are now safe.

SHOOTER LIVESTREAMED ATTACK

The shooter posted a 16-minute livestream of the attack on the Deans Ave mosque.

The graphic and disturbing footage was circulated online. Spokespeople for Facebook and YouTube said they were working to remove the video.

Police made a statement saying they "strongly urge" people not to share the footage, and they were working to remove it. 

The prime minister said "what all of us can at least do is make sure we do not share, spread, or actively engage in that message of hate".

​LOCKDOWN LIFTED

Residents in Christchurch had been told to stay inside their homes and students could not go home from school. 

The lockdown ended just before 6pm on Friday, and children could be picked up. 

Blenheim Rd and Moorhouse Ave have now fully reopened following Friday's terror attack.

As of Saturday night, Deans Ave remains closed south of Kilmarnock St, while Riccarton Rd is closed between Clarence St and Deans Ave and Riccarton Ave is closed between Hagley Ave and Deans Ave.

SPORT CANCELLED

Members of the Bangladesh cricket team were in a bus heading into the Deans Ave mosque when the first attack occurred. 

Coaching staff confirmed no team members were hurt, but that they were shaken.

The third test was expected to begin at Hagley Oval on Saturday. The game has been cancelled, and the Bangladeshi team will fly home as soon as possible.

The Highlanders v Crusaders match at Forsyth Barr Stadium has also been cancelled for Saturday. 

New Zealand Rugby says it was "an easy decision" in to call off the game as a way to showing respect to the victims of the Christchurch terrorist attacks.