NPR

'One Of New Zealand's Darkest Days': Shootings At Mosques Kill At Least 49

At least one gunman opened fire during afternoon prayers at two mosques in the city of Christchurch. Police have charged a 28-year-old man with murder.
Police officers guard the area near the Al Noor mosque on Friday after a gunman killed 41 people there.

Updated at 3:50 p.m. ET

A violent attack on two mosques Friday struck at the very heart of New Zealand, a country that prides itself on being both peaceful and diverse, after a gunman opened fire during afternoon prayers and killed at least 49 people.

More than 40 others are being treated for injuries sustained in the attacks in Christchurch, police said. Two are in critical condition, including a 4-year-old.

New Zealand police have charged a 28-year-old man with murder and have taken two others into custody. A fourth person turned out to have been arrested on an unrelated charge.

"You don't think that something like this could happen in New Zealand,". "In Christchurch of all places. We're such a small community. We're so kind and loving, so I just don't understand why someone would hurt us like this."

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