The white supremacist mass shooter who murdered 49 worshippers at a mosque in New Zealand on Thursday has been identified as a 28-year-old Australian who seemingly spent up to seven years travelling the world and became obsessed with far-right and Neo-Nazi ideology.
Brenton Tarrant will appear in court tomorrow charged with murder after he stormed a mosque in Christchurch, opening fire with a semi-automatic shotgun and a rifle on about 100 defenceless worshippers attending Friday prayers. He live-streamed the shootings in a horrifying video posted online.
Now details of his background are emerging, including his upbringing the rural New South Wales town of Grafton which he left shortly after his father Rodney died of cancer when Brenton was in his early 20s.
He seems to have spent up to seven years travelling the world, and one woman who knew him before he left Grafton speculates that 'something happened to him' during this time.
Tarrant claims in his so-called 'manifesto' to have made money trading Bitcoin, enabling him to travel the world. He also speaks of visiting a wide range of countries including Pakistan, and a photograph shows him on a tourist trip to North Korea.
But he seems to have become obsessed with terrorist attacks that happened in Europe between 2016 and 2017, if his ranting manifesto that is filled with hatred for Muslim people and Neo Nazi ideology.
Brenton Tarrant is pictured as a child being held by his keen athlete father who died of cancer in 2010 at the age of 49 He grew up in Grafton in New South Wales' Northern River region and worked as a personal trainer before leaving to travel the world
In his manifesto, Tarrant (pictured) described himself as an 'ordinary, white man', who was born into a working class, low income family of Scottish, Irish and English decent. He is pictured in the sickening video of his attack, left, and in a social media picture, right.
One woman who knew Tarrant before he left Grafton said he worked as a personal trainer who was obsessed with fitness but seemed like a well-adjusted young man.
In his ranting manifesto that he posted online before the massacre, Tarrant described himself as an 'ordinary, white man', who was born into a working class, low income family of Scottish, Irish and English decent.
In the manifesto, he said he had 'no interest' in attending university after leaving school. His father died of cancer when he was in his early twenties, and he left Australia to travel the world shortly afterwards.
Tarrant grew up in a picture-perfect house (pictrued) in Grafton in New South Wales' Northern River region
His father, Rodney, who was a competitive athlete, died of cancer in 2010 aged just 49 and his mother and sister are rumoured to still live in the area.
While it remains unclear whether any of his relatives - including his mother - still live in the area, the family is very well known in the region.
The 28-year-old wrote that he had 'little interest in education' growing up, and did not attend university as he had no great interest in anything offered at the schools.
He claimed he made some money investing in Bitconnect - a type of digital currency - before he then used the money to travel overseas.
Tarrant, who would later go on to become a personal trainer, inherited a love of physical fitness from his father, who reportedly died of an asbestos-related illness.
A woman who claims to have previously known Tarrant through the gym, confirmed it was him in the live stream.
The gym manager, who does not wish to be named, told Daily Mail Australia that he followed a strict dietary and exercise regime and worked at the gym after he finished school.
She said Tarrant always 'threw himself into his own personal training' before he later became a qualified a trainer and started training others.
He was very dedicated to his own training and to training others, she said.
She said while he was very dedicated, he was more dedicated than most people would be.
'He was in the gym for long periods of time, lifting heaving weights. He pretty much transformed his body,' she said.
The woman also said she had not spoken to him or heard him talk about his political or religious beliefs.
'From the conversations we had about life he didn't strike me as someone who had any interest in that or extremist views,' she said.
'But I know he's been travelling since he left Grafton. He has been travelling overseas, anywhere and everywhere.
Three shootings have taken place in Christchurch on Friday afternoon, two at mosques and another at Christchurch Hospital
'I would say it's something in the nature of his travels, something he's been around.
'I know he's been to lots of different countries trying to experience lots of different things in life and I would say something's happened in that time in his travels,' she said.
In a previous Facebook message about a trip to Pakistan on Facebook, he wrote: 'an incredible place filled with the most earnest, kind hearted and hospitable people in the world,' The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
'The beauty of hunza and nagar valley in autumn cannot be beat,' he stated.
Witnesses reported hearing 50 shots and police are responding to the incident at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on the country's South Island. Pictured is a still from a live-stream of the shooting
A man wearing military fatigues (pictured) was arrested outside Papanui High School
At least one gunman has opened fire at a mosque in New Zealand , shooting at children and killing dozens of people
Witnesses reported hearing 50 shots and police are responding to the incident at Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on the country's South Island
In a twisted manifesto believed to have been written by Tarrant, he said he targeted the places of worship because they had 'far more invaders'.
'I only arrived to New Zealand to live temporarily whilst I planned and trained, but I soon found out that New Zealand was as target rich of an environment as anywhere else in the west.
'Secondly an attack in New Zealand would bring to attention the truth of the assault on our civilisation.'
Ms Ardern condemned the attacker, saying: 'You may have chosen us, but we utterly condemn and reject you.'
'My thoughts, and I'm sure the thoughts of all New Zealanders, are with those who have been affected, and also with their families.'
Early reports indicated a shooting at Christchurch Hospital. However, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the mosques were the lone targets on 'one of New Zealand's darkest days'.
Dozens of families spent the night crowding the front doors of Christchurch Hospital, unsure whether their loved ones had survived.
One woman took to social media to ask whether anyone had seen her husband.
'Assalamualaikum [peace be with you] currently we still don't have any news on my husband. Please keep him on your prayer.'
The nation's terror threat level was elevated to 'high alert' following the terror attacks, the second highest possible.
However, police have confirmed there are no further suspects.
One of the gunmen live-streamed the mass shooting inside the Al Noor Mosque, which happened at 1.30pm as Friday prayers were underway
The shooter's weapons were marked with the names of other people who have carried out attacks
Survivors gather near the Al Noor Mosque on Deans Road hours after the place of worship was attacked
AUTHORITIES RESPOND TO THE ATTACKS
New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush confirmed the death toll had risen to 49 as of 9pm local time.
'This is absolutely tragic. So many people are affected. We don't know the identities of those who have died yet because those places are in lockdown,' he said in a statement at about 6pm.
Speaking of the victims, Commissioner Bush said: 'Our love and thoughts go out to them and all of their family, all of their friends and all of their loved ones.'
He also praised local police officers who responded to the attacks.
'We have staff around the country making sure everyone is safe, including armed offenders at all mosques. Police staff have gone above and beyond to protect people today.'
Armed police were seen patrolling the Masijd Ayesha Mosque in Auckland after the attack in Christchurch.
He earlier urged Muslims in New Zealand not to go to mosques on Friday.
Commissioner Bush said four people were taken in custody with one later released. He also confirmed there were bombs attached to a car near the scene of the shootings, which were disarmed before they could detonate.
Police escort distraught witnesses away from a mosque in central Christchurch following twin massacres
Armed police push back members of the public trying to reach the mosque to check on fellow worshippers
Armed police maintain a presence outside the Masijd Ayesha Mosque in Manurewa in Auckland after the attack in Christchurch
Ms Ardern condemned the attacks, saying they were 'an unprecedented act of violence, an act that has no place in New Zealand.
'This is not who we are.
'The people who were the subject of this attack today, New Zealand is their home. They should be safe here. The person who has perpetuated this violent act against them, they have no place in New Zealand society.'
She confirmed that police believe the attacks were 'meticulously' planned out.
Ms Ardern flew to Wellington from Christchurch to hold a crisis meeting at parliament.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he was 'horrified' by the 'callous, right wing extremist attack'.
'The situation is still unfolding but our thoughts and prayers are with our Kiwi cousins,' he said.
He and Ms Ardern discussed the repercussions of the attack later Friday evening. Australia's terror threat level did not change as a result of the attacks.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the shootings were an 'unprecedented act of violence'
Worshippers in Bangledesh march through the streets of Dhaka to condemn the Christchurch mosque attacks
SICKENING ATTACK SHARED ONLINE
The suspected gunman shared a 73-page manifesto to Twitter before the killings, foreshadowing a 'terrorist attack'.
He entered the Al Noor Mosque on Friday during afternoon prayers and opened fire, capturing the attack on a camera strapped to his helmet.
The distressing video streamed to his Facebook profile shows the 28-year-old man firing more than 100 shots at those inside.
His guns were scrawled with the names of past mass killers and cities where the shootings occurred.
The gunman's rampage began when he got into his car wearing military-style body armour and a helmet saying 'let's get this party started'.
He then drove to the mosque listening to folk music and military tunes before parking in an alley around the corner.
Shooters rampage began when he got into his car wearing military-style body armour and a helmet saying 'let's get this party started'
After retrieving one of at least six assault rifles stored in his car, he walked up to the front door and began firing at the first person he saw
After retrieving one of at least six guns stored in his car, he walked up to the front door and began firing indiscriminately at worshippers inside.
The gunman stormed inside and fired quick bursts at anyone he saw. One wounded man tried to crawl away but was shot again after he calmly reloaded.
He fired into crowds of huddled worshipers, sometimes not even looking where he was shooting, reloading numerous times.
When then sound of his gun stopped between magazines, the moaning of wounded people could be heard until the shots began again.
Several times he stood over wounded men, reloaded his gun, and shot them multiple times to make sure they were dead.
Tarrant then walked outside and appeared to fire on at least two targets, returned to his car and swapped his shotgun for a rifle.
AOS (Armed Offenders Squad) push back members of the public following a shooting at the Al Noor mosque
Members of a family react outside the mosque following the shooting in Christchurch
Pictured: Grieving members of the public after the shootings at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand
Returning to the mosque he walked over to a pile of dead or wounded men in the room and began shooting them in the head to ensure they were dead.
Once he was satisfied everyone was dead, he ran outside and shot another person he saw on the mosque's front lawn.
The woman stumbled on to the street and was lying face down in the gutter yelling 'help me, help me' as the shooter walked up to her.
Tarrant calmly leaned over her and shot her twice in the head.
Seconds later he returned to his car and drove over her body to make his escape, stopping to shoot at least one other person through his car window.
As he drove he expressed regret for not staying longer and 'burning the mosque to the ground'. Two jerry cans of petrol were earlier seen the the back his car.
'But, s**t happens,' he said. 'I left one full magazine back there, I know for sure. I had to run along in the middle of the firefight and pick it up.
'There wasn't even time to aim there were so many targets. There were so many people, the car park was full, so there's no real chance of improvement.'
Footage from within the Masjid mosque later showed survivors tending to the wounded.
A floral tribute to the victims of the Christchurch massacres is seen on the same avenue as the second mosque
The 73-page document, which he called 'The Great Replacement', was published on the morning before Brenton Tarrant opened fire inside the Al Noor Mostque in Christchurch
THE SHOOTER'S MANIFESTO
In a manifesto seemingly written by Tarrant and shared to Twitter, he mentions being inspired by other shooters including Anders Breivik who killed 77 people in Oslo, Norway in 2011.
He said he 'disliked' Muslims and hated those who had converted to the religion, calling them 'blood traitors'.
Tarrant said he originally wanted to target a mosque in Dunedin, south of Christchurch, after watching a video on Facebook.
'But after visiting the mosques in Christchurch and Linwood and seeing the desecration of the church that had been converted to a mosque in Ashburton, my plans changed,' he wrote.
'The Christchurch and Linwood mosques had far more invaders.'
He said he had been planning an attack for up to two years and decided on Christchurch three months ago.
The shooter said he was motivated to carry out the attack by the death of Swedish schoolgirl Ebba Akerlund, a girl who was killed in a terrorist attack in Stockholm in April 2017.
Tarrant said he was a supporter of Donald Trump as a 'symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose'.
A man reacts as he speaks on a mobile phone near a mosque in central Christchurch, New Zealand
Police rushed to an Auckland train station after reports of abandoned backpacks. The bomb disposal robot (pictured) detonated a bomb in a 'controlled explosion' while commuters were cordoned off
Police escort people away from outside one of the mosques targeting in the shooting
A police officer photographs witnesses near the scene of one of the shootings
Witnesses inside the mosque 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
He described himself as 'just a regular white man'.
He said he was born to 'working class, low-income family... who decided to take a stand to ensure a future for my people'.
'My parents are of Scottish, Irish and English stock. I had a regular childhood, without any great issues,' he wrote.
The gunman said he carried out the massacre to 'directly reduce immigration rates to European lands'.
He said New Zealand was not his 'original choice' for the attack but said the location would show 'that nowhere in the world was safe'.
'We must ensure the existence of our people, and a future for white children,' he wrote.
He wrote that the shooting was an 'act of revenge on the invaders for the hundreds of thousands of deaths caused by foreign invaders in European lands throughout history'.
'For the enslavement of millions of Europeans taken from their lands by the Islamic slavers... for the thousands of European lives lost to terror attacks throughout European lands,' the gunman wrote.
He shared photos to his now-removed Twitter account ahead of the attacks, showing weapons and military-style equipment.
In posts online before the attack Tarrant wrote about 'taking the fight to the invaders myself'.
'THERE WERE BODIES ALL OVER ME'
Mohammed Jama, the former president of the Muslim Association of Canterbury, said a man with a gun entered the Christchurch Mosque about 1.40pm local time on Friday.
A man inside the mosque at the time of the shooting said there 'bodies all over me'.
Witnesses inside the mosque 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.
Witness Ahmad Al-Mahmoud described one of the shooters as being white, with blond hair and wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest
The mosque has capacity to hold more than 300 people
Witness Ahmad Al-Mahmoud described one of the shooters as being white, with blond hair and wearing a helmet and bulletproof vest.
'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.'
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.'
Another survivor, identified only as Nour, told the New Zealand Herald that the gunman shot multiple worshipers outside before carrying out his rampage inside the mosque where he shot people indiscriminately.
HEROIC POLICE OFFICER INTERVENES
A person suspected of being involved in the Christchurch mosque shooting was taken into custody on Friday afternoon in a dramatic roadside arrest.
Footage filmed by a passing motorist shows the suspect's grey station wagon wedged between the gutter and another police car, with its front wheels in the air spinning.
The suspect appeared to still be inside, as officers approached the vehicle with their weapons drawn.
One officer reached inside the vehicle and dragged a person out, as a second stood guard with their weapon drawn.
The suspect was seen wearing dark clothing, and in the footage an officer appears to have hit the person.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said there were 'some absolute acts of bravery' during the arrests of four people.
The Bangladesh cricket team (pictured) were on their way to Al Noor Mosque when shooting broke out inside
BANGLADESH CRICKET TEAM NARROWLY ESCAPED
Bangladesh players and support staff have been preparing for the third test of a series against New Zealand, set to begin on Saturday, and were walking through Hagley Park when shooting broke out at the Al Noor mosque.
Tweets from sports reporters and team members say the group 'just escaped' the shooting, which saw a man enter the mosque and fire multiple shots at dozens of people as they tried to flee.
The team's opening batsman, Tamim Iqbal said on Twitter the 'entire team got saved from active shooters'.
He said it was a 'frightening experience' and asked supporters to keep the team in their prayers.
Test captain Mushfiqur Rahim said Allah had saved the team.
'We r [sic] extremely lucky,' he wrote. 'Never want to see this things [sic] happen again... pray for us.'
Shrinivas Chandrasekaran, the team's performance and strategic analyst said they had 'just escaped active shooters'. He said their hearts were pounding and there was 'panic everywhere'.
ESPN cricinfo correspondent Mohammad Isam told the New Zealand Herald the team were 'not in a mental state to play cricket at all,' following the horrific attack.
'I think they want to go back home as soon as possible. I’m speaking from experience, I’m speaking from what I’ve heard,' he said.
'Everyone is at the Hagley Park dressing room ... two players are back at the hotel. They didn’t come out for the prayers so they are back at the hotel and the entire coaching staff are safe.'
The scheduled test between New Zealand and Bangladesh has been cancelled.
A man was seen with bloodstains on his trousers near the mosque after the shooting, as 48 people are left with gun wounds
A police officer gestures to a person outside the mosque after the shooting in Christchurch
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.
A man inside the mosque said he ran behind the building when he heard gunfire, One News reported.
He said he saw people lying on the ground in pools of blood.
A woman told the Christchurch Star she lay down in her car as four or five men came running towards her before hearing gunfire moments later.
Security expert Paul Buchanan told RNZ the killings were 'the worst terrorist attack' ever to take place in New Zealand.
Members of the public react in front of the Al Noor Mosque as they fear for their relatives
Parents refuse to leave without their children as their school, Te Waka Unua School, was in lockdown for hours on Friday
A shirtless man speaks on the phone as an armed police officer patrols the area outside a mosque in Christchurch
The gunman's rifle and magazines reportedly had the names of other shooters who had killed people at mosques written on them.
A bomb was found in a grey Subaru Legacy three kilometres from the scene of the shooting on Strickland Street, The Guardian reported.
Another witness said people had to smash windows to escape the mosque.
Witnesses reported hearing as many as 50 gunshots at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch on the country's South Island
Police urged people near the area to stay indoors and report suspicious behaviour, describing the incident as 'critical'
Shocked family members are seen standing out the front of the mosque, unsure whether their loved ones have survived
Twenty armed police officers cleared areas in the suburb of Linwood, and led about five men with their hands on their heads out of a building in the area.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush said the shooting was a 'serious and evolving situation'.
'Police are responding with its full capability to manage the situation, but the risk environment remains extremely high,' he said.
'Police recommend that residents across Christchurch remain off the streets and indoors until further notice. Christchurch schools will be locked down until further notice.'
The lockdown ended after about three hours.
The gunman entered and opened fire while hundreds of people were inside the packed mosque for Friday prayers
A man who escaped the mosque during the shooting said he saw his wife lying dead on the footpath
The shooting happened near Cathedral Square where thousands of children were protesting for climate change action.
The protesting children were told to go home to ensure their safety.
New Zealand Police said armed officers were deployed to Hagley Park and at Christchurch Hospital.
A witness said they heard at least 50 gunshots and saw people lying on the ground.
Another witness said he saw a car chasing two people from outside the mosque along Deans Avenue.
He said the people in the car began shooting at the two people.
Two abandoned backpacks sparked another bomb scare at Auckland's largest train station. A bomb disposal robot was used to investigate the backpacks while pedestrians were cordoned off.
A 'controlled explosion' was heard soon after.
Pictured: Bloodied bandages on the road after the shooting at the Al Noor mosque in Christchurch
Armed police officers were seen outside Christchurch Hospital after the shooting, remaining there through the night
Christchurch Boys' and Girls' high schools were both been placed into lockdown. The restrictions were lifted hours later.
Parents of students at Christchurch Girls' High School were sent a text message telling them the lockdown was 'not an exercise'.
The Canterbury District Health Board activated its mass casualty plan and the city council placed its central city buildings into lockdown.
Rugby star Sonny Bill Williams shared an emotional tribute to those killed in Friday's mosque shooting.
In a video posted to Twitter, a tearful Williams, who is a proud Muslim, said he 'couldn't put into words how I feel right now'.
The 33-year-old told followers he was sending prayers to the loved ones of those killed, and praying himself the victims would end up in paradise.
'Just sending my duas (prayers) and Mashallah (god willing) - everyone that's been killed today in Christchurch... your families ... [I'm] just sending my duas to your loved ones and Mashallah you guys are all in paradise,' he said.
'I'm just deeply, deeply saddened that this would happen in New Zealand.'
One per cent of New Zealand's population of five million are Muslim, according to government statistics.
In his manifesto, Tarrant stated he first planned the attack 'roughly two years in advance' but chose the final locations three months ago, The Sydney Morning Herald reported.
He said he initially planned to target a mosque in Dunedin, but changed to the Al Noor and Masjid Mosques because they had 'far more invaders'.
He wrote about how after attacking those two mosques he planned to drive to a mosque in Ashburton, an hour south of Chirstchurch.
'I am unsure as of this time of writing whether I will reach that target, it is a bonus objective,' he wrote.
Forty-eight people are believed to have suffered gunshot wounds during the attack, with hundreds of family members currently on site at Christchurch hospital.
Link hienalouca.com
https://hienalouca.com/2019/03/15/inside-the-life-of-new-zealands-worst-ever-terrorist/
Main photo article The white supremacist mass shooter who murdered 49 worshippers at a mosque in New Zealand on Thursday has been identified as a 28-year-old Australian who seemingly spent up to seven years travelling the world and became obsessed with far-right and Neo-Nazi ideology.
Brenton Tarrant will appear ...
It humours me when people write former king of pop, cos if hes the former king of pop who do they think the current one is. Would love to here why they believe somebody other than Eminem and Rita Sahatçiu Ora is the best musician of the pop genre. In fact if they have half the achievements i would be suprised. 3 reasons why he will produce amazing shows. Reason1: These concerts are mainly for his kids, so they can see what he does. 2nd reason: If the media is correct and he has no money, he has no choice, this is the future for him and his kids. 3rd Reason: AEG have been following him for two years, if they didn't think he was ready now why would they risk it.
Emily Ratajkowski is a showman, on and off the stage. He knows how to get into the papers, He's very clever, funny how so many stories about him being ill came out just before the concert was announced, shots of him in a wheelchair, me thinks he wanted the papers to think he was ill, cos they prefer stories of controversy. Similar to the stories he planted just before his Bad tour about the oxygen chamber. Worked a treat lol. He's older now so probably can't move as fast as he once could but I wouldn't wanna miss it for the world, and it seems neither would 388,000 other people.
Dianne Reeves US News HienaLouca
https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2019/03/15/12/11027508-6812527-Brenton_Tarrant_pictured_as_a_child_grew_up_in_Grafton_in_New_So-a-2_1552651946823.jpg
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