On Friday, March 15th, 50 people were killed and 34 people were severely injured after a gunman opened fire at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand. The first attack took place just after 1:30 pm. The gunman entered the Masjid Al Noor Mosque and went through the building, killing dozens. Minutes later, the same gunman executed the same attack at the Linwood Masjid Mosque.

Twelve out of the 34 people that were injured were in critical conditions. One victim was a 4-year-old girl who was transferred to a children’s hospital in Auckland. Another victim was a 3-year-old boy who ran towards the gunman and was shot and killed.

Eventually, authorities found out the gunman’s name identity. Australian, Brenton Tarrant, 28 years old, was charged with murder that day. CNN reports that “…a link to an 87-page manifesto on Twitter and 8chan, an online messaging board that has been used by anonymous accounts to share extremist messages and cheer on mass shooters, was posted to an account in Tarrant’s name” right before the event.  

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardren reinforces, “While work is being done as to the chain of events that lead to both the holding of this gun license and the possession of these weapons, I can tell you one thing right now. Our gun laws will change.”