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Rural cops brought down Christchurch massacre accused: PM
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand, March 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – A pair of rural New
Zealand police officers dramatically arrested the suspected Christchurch
gunman 36 minutes after authorities were alerted, it emerged Saturday, as the
prime minister hailed their bravery.
Jacinda Ardern said the alleged attacker, 28-year-old Australian Brenton
Tarrant, would surely have killed even more people than the 49 worshippers he
massacred in two mosques were it not for the policemen.
“The offender was mobile, there were two other firearms in the vehicle
that the offender was in, and it absolutely was his intention to continue
with his attack,” Ardern told reporters in Christchurch.
Grainy video apparently shot from a passing car shows the gunman’s light-
coloured vehicle at the side of a busy road, rammed against the kerb by a
police car and with one of its front wheels suspended in the air.
Two police officers — one of whom appears to be armed only with a handgun
— can be seen pointing their weapons at the open passenger-side door.
“They were rural community cops I understand from Lincoln (a nearby town)
who were present here. Anyone who has seen the footage… they put New
Zealand first,” Ardern said.
“The individual charged was in custody 36 minutes from receiving the first
call,” she said.
The officers can be seen dragging a black-clad figure away from the
vehicle, as motorists slowly drove by on the other side of the city
carriageway.
Police Commissioner Mike Bush also praised the officers who brought the
massacre to a halt.
“I would also like to commend — and some of you would have seen, the
brave actions on social media of police staff who responded to this
incident,” he said.
“I’m extremely proud of what they’ve done today.”
Ardern said 39 people remained in hospital, of whom 11 were in intensive
care.
Tarrant, 28, flashed a white power gesture as he appeared in court
Saturday charged with one count of murder. Further charges are expected to
follow.
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1203 hrs