Police officers search the area near the Masjid Al Noor mosque in Christchurch following the shooting. The officers, whom the Herald has agreed not to name, are both based in smaller towns out of Christchurch. "They were actually training when the call came through that there was an active armed offender in Christchurch," Stills told the Herald. Once the alleged gunman was contained both officers used the radio to alert other police to the situation. All bodies have now been removed from the mosque - and the second mosque in Linwood where the gunman struck next.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 17, 2019 17:51 UTC