Terror suspect “did not develop his hatred” in New Zealand, mayor says

Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel said the suspect who carried out a terror attack on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday targeted New Zealand for its reputation for being a safe space.

“I think the reason that we have been targeted — and this was, as I understand it, a deliberate decision to target our city and our country — was because we are a safe city and a safe country,” Dalziel said at a news conference.

Dalziel also emphasized that the suspect is not from New Zealand.

“This sort of extremism is not something that we’ve seen here. But he is not from here,” she said. “He came here with hate in his heart and intention to kill in his mind. So he did not develop his hatred here. He came here to perform this act of terrorism.”

President Trump said Friday he does not see white nationalism as a rising threat around the world. 

“I don’t really. I think it’s a small group of people that have very, very serious problems, I guess. If you look what happened in New Zealand, perhaps that’s the case. I don’t know enough about it yet…But it’s certainly a terrible thing,” Trump said.

He was asked about the topic after a shooter in New Zealand killed at 49 people, leaving behind a manifesto with white nationalist writing.

Trump said he had not seen the manifesto.

New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said three people were arrested following the mass shooting in Christchurch:

“A 28-year-old man will appear in Christchurch District Court today charged with murder. Two others remain in custody. Our investigations are in their early stages and we will be looking closely to build a picture of any of the individuals involved and all of their activities prior to this horrific event.”

Forty-nine people were killed and 42 were being treated for injuries following the mosque terror attacks, New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.

New Zealand police also said that two of those injured are critical and include a 4-year-old child. Police said 41 people were killed at the Deans Avenue mosque, and seven at the Linwood Avenue mosque. One has since died in hospital.

Bush went on to say police officials are continuing to make inquiries after the tragic events in Christchurch.

“As the Prime Minister stated yesterday, this has been designated a terrorist attack,” Bush said on a message posted on New Zealand police’s Twitter account.

The suspected New Zealand shooter live streamed video of the attack and posted a manifesto online under the name Brenton Tarrant. CNN has not confirmed this is his real name. This is the name he called himself online. New Zealand police have not publicly identified the shooter.

Here’s what we know about the suspect:

President Trump tweeted that he just spoke with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and told her that the US stands “in solidarity with New Zealand – and that any assistance the U.S.A. can give, we stand by ready to help.”

“We love you New Zealand!” the President tweeted.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh is reciprocating the generosity it received from the Muslim community after a mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue last year.

Last October, Muslim groups raised more than $200,000 for the Pittsburgh shooting victims. A gunman stormed into the Tree of Life Synagogue and killed 11 people in what was the deadliest attack ever on Jews in the United States.

The Jewish organization is now working to help the Muslim community after a terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand killed at least 49 people.

In a statement today, the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh said it is accepting donations.

“Unfortunately, we are all too familiar with the devastating effect a mass shooting has on a faith community,” said Meryl Ainsman, chair of the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh. “We are filled with grief over this senseless act of hate. May those who were injured heal quickly and fully, and may the memories of the victims forever be a blessing.”

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the first Palestinian-American to serve in the US House, and one of the first two muslim women elected to US Congress in the last election, issued an emotional statement detailing how she hugged her two children this morning “a little tighter and longer.”

She also wrote she was “so angry at those who follow the ‘white supremacy’ agenda” in the US, which she said “sends a signal across the world that massacres like this is some kind of call to action.”

Read her full statement:

“A church, a masjid (mosque), a temple and synagogue — we can all recount a horrific event that has happened in each of those places while people were worshipping. From Charleston, to Pittsburgh, Texas, Oak Creek, New Zealand and many places in between, white supremacists are targeting places of worship to push their violent, racist and terrorist agenda.
“This morning I tried to hold back tears as I hugged my two brown, Muslim boys a little tighter and longer. The painful loss of life based on hate makes me so angry. I am so angry at those who follow the “white supremacy” agenda in my own country that sends a signal across the world that massacres like this is some kind of call to action. 
“Today, is Jumu’ah (Friday) prayer for Muslims across our nation, and as each one kneels to worship Allah (yes, it means God), I pray that they are protected and can find some kind of peace. I hope that our children don’t become numb to this, and that this is not their new normal.”

US Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen issued a statement regarding the deadly terror attack at two mosques in New Zealand, calling it “abhorrent.”

“Religious liberty is a hallmark of this country. Attacks on peaceful people in their place of worship are abhorrent and will not be tolerated. The Department strongly stands with those of all faiths as they seek to worship in peace and we will continue to work with stakeholders to protect the ability of all to worship freely and without fear,” she said in the statement.

Nielsen went on to say the Department of Homeland Security is monitoring the attack and isn’t aware of any credible threats in the US.

“While we are not aware of any current, credible or active threat domestically, nor of any current information regarding obvious ties between the perpetrators in New Zealand and anyone in the US — the Department is cognizant of the potential concerns members of Muslim-American communities may have as they gather at today’s congregational prayers,” she said.