Christchurch mosque shootings

Quick Facts: Who was Christchurch mosque shootings?

Subject:

Christchurch mosque shootings

Known for:

2019 terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, targeting Muslim worshippers.

Born:

1990-10-27

Century / Era:

1990s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

On 15 March 2019, two consecutive terrorist mass shootings took place in Christchurch, New Zealand. They were committed during Friday prayer, first at the Al Noor Mosque in Riccarton at 1:40 p.m., and shortly afterwards at 1:52 p.m. at the Linwood Islamic Centre. In total, 51 people were killed and 89 others were injured, including 40 by gunfire. The perpetrator was identified as Brenton Tarrant, a 28-year-old Australian man at the time.

Career & Major Achievements

Tarrant was arrested after his vehicle was rammed by a police car as he was driving to a third mosque in Ashburton. He live-streamed the first shooting on Facebook, marking the first successfully live-streamed far-right terror attack, and had published a manifesto online before the attack. On 26 March 2020, he pleaded guilty to 51 murders, 40 attempted murders, and engaging in a terrorist act, and in August was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole – the first such sentence in New Zealand. The attacks were mainly motivated by white nationalism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and white supremacist beliefs. Tarrant described himself as an ecofascist and professed belief in the far-right "Great Replacement" conspiracy theory in the context of a "white genocide".

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The attack was linked to an increase in white supremacy and alt-right extremism globally observed since about 2015. Politicians and world leaders condemned it, and the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, described it as "one of New Zealand's darkest days". The government established a royal commission into its security agencies in the wake of the shootings, which were the deadliest in modern New Zealand history and the worst ever committed by an Australian national. The commission submitted its report to the government on 26 November 2020, the details of which were made public on 7 December. The shooting has inspired multiple copycat attacks, especially due to its live-streamed nature.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1990 (1990-10-27): Birth of Christchurch mosque shootings — 2019 terrorist attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand, targeting Muslim worshippers.
2. 2015: 2015 Milestone — The attack was linked to an increase in white supremacy and alt-right extremism globally observed since about 2015.
3. 2019: 2019 Milestone — On 15 March 2019, two consecutive terrorist mass shootings took place in Christchurch, New Zealand.
4. 2020: 2020 Milestone — On 26 March 2020, he pleaded guilty to 51 murders, 40 attempted murders, and engaging in a terrorist act, and in August was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole – the first such sentence in New Zealand.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Christchurch mosque shootings

True or False: “The perpetrator was arrested immediately after the first shooting at Al Noor Mosque.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Tarrant was arrested later when his vehicle was rammed by a police car as he was driving to a third mosque in Ashburton.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Christchurch mosque shootings