Christchurch shooter Brenton Tarrant planned to burn down mosques in New Zealand, court hears

A white supremacist who killed 51 people in terror attacks on two New Zealand mosques had planned to target a third place of worship when he was captured by police, his sentencing hearing was told today.

Brenton Tarrant, 29, wanted to “inflict as many fatalities as possible” during the gun rampage last year, which he partially streamed live on the internet.

In meticulous planning over years, Tarrant determined when the Christchurch mosques would be full and flew a drone over his primary target, the Al Noor mosque, to capture its layout and exits.

During the attack in March last year, the killer shot worshippers inside the Al Noor mosque and murdered more on the street as they attempted to flee. He then drove to his second target, the Linwood Islamic Centre, to continue the gun rampage.

The Al Noor Masjid in Christchurch where Tarrant killed 51 worshippers
EPA

Christchurch High Court was told he had been planning to strike at a third venue, the Ashburton Mosque, but was stopped by police who rammed his car.

Tarrant, an Australian, has admitted 51 charges of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder, and one charge of terrorism. He could face life in prison without parole when sentenced later this week.

The live-stream video of the attack sent shockwaves around the world, prompting a change in New Zealand gun laws including a ban on military-style semi-automatic weapons.

Prosecutor Barnaby Hawes told the court today Tarrant had also planned to burn down the mosques after shooting worshippers on March 15 2019, aiming to "inflict as many fatalities as possible".

He had studied floor plans and locations of a series of mosques in Christchurch, and struck when the Al Noor mosque was attended by 190 people.

Tarrant had six guns in his car, including two semi-automatic AR-15 rifles, as well as four modified gas containers which he planned to use to burn down the mosques after he finished shooting, the prosecutor said.

The court was told how one of the victims, Naeem Rashid, made a heroic attempt to stop the gunman.

"He ran at the defendant from the southeastern corner of the room. When Mr Rashid was approximately one metre from the defendant, the defendant swung the AR-15 around and fired four shots at point-blank range", Mr Hawes said.

Floral tributes are laid in Christchurch, New Zealand, following the deadly attacks  
Getty Images

"Mr Rashid crashed into the defendant and the defendant went down on one knee", he added, saying Tarrant was able to get back up and shoot Mr Rashid again.

At the sentencing hearing, relatives of those who died will be able to confront Tarrant for the first time about the atrocity.

Maysoon Salama, the mother of 33-year-old Atta Elayyan who died in the attack, tearfully told the terrorist: "You killed your own humanity, and I don't think the world will forgive you for your horrible crime.

New Zealand abolished the death penalty for murder in 1961
AP

"You thought you can break us. You failed miserably."

Gamal Founda, the imam of the Al Noor mosque, told Tarrant: “We are a peaceful and loving community who did not deserve your actions.

"Your hatred is unnecessary. If you have done anything, you have brought the world community closer with your evil actions."

Eight courtrooms are being used to accommodate all the survivors and relatives of the murdered victims, with more than 60 impact statements expected to be heard over the next three days.

High Court Justice Cameron Mander, overseeing the case, has said Tarrant – who has sacked his legal team - will be given the opportunity to speak before he is sentenced, but will not be allowed to grandstand about his actions and ideology.

The judge has the power to impose a full life sentence, which would be the first in New Zealand criminal history.

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