BREAKING NEWS: Accused Christchurch shooter is charged with 50 counts of murder and 39 counts of attempted murder

  • Brenton Tarrant, 28, is due to appear in the High Court at Christchurch on Friday
  • Australian-born man is accused of gunning down almost 100 people in attack
  • Tarrant will appear in court via audio-visual link from maximum-security prison 

By Ben Hill For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 23:23 EDT, 3 April 2019 | Updated: 00:10 EDT, 4 April 2019

Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, is due to appear in the High Court at Christchurch on Friday

Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, is due to appear in the High Court at Christchurch on Friday 

The man accused of shooting Muslim worshippers at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand has been charged with 50 counts of murder.

Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, is due to appear in the High Court at Christchurch on Friday.

The Australian-born man is accused of gunning down almost 100 people in a sickening attack on the Al Noor and Linwood mosques that was live-streamed and shared to Facebook on March 15.

Tarrant, 28, will appear via audio-visual link from New Zealand's only maximum security prison in Paremoremo, Auckland, the New Zealand Herald reported.

He has previously requested to represent himself in court, and in his last court appearance he smirked and gave a white supremacist sign with his hand.

Accused Christchurch massacre gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant (pictured) made a white power gesture from behind a glass window, during a brief earlier appearance in court

Accused Christchurch massacre gunman Brenton Harrison Tarrant (pictured) made a white power gesture from behind a glass window, during a brief earlier appearance in court

Friday's hearing is expected to be mainly procedural with timetables and future dates being decided by the judge. 

Tarrant was being held on one count of murder but that has now been increased to 50, together with 39 charges of attempted murder.  

New Zealand Police announced the 50 murder charges against Tarrant in a tweet on Thursday.

'Other charges are still under consideration. As the case is before the court, [New Zealand] Police [are] not in a position to comment further,' they said.

So far 50 people have been confirmed dead after the shootings. 

Police allege that after shooting inside the Al Noor mosque, Tarrant then drove to the Linwood mosque in another part of the city and continued his rampage. 

Tarrant was arrested on the sidewalk by two training police officers after he allegedly shot and killed 50 Muslim worshipers

Tarrant was arrested on the sidewalk by two training police officers after he allegedly shot and killed 50 Muslim worshipers

New Zealand Police Commissioner Mike Bush said after police received an emergency call at 1.42pm local time, it took 36 minutes for them to track down and detain Tarrant.

'That is an incredibly fast response time. You had a mobile offender across large metropolitan city. I am very happy with the response of our staff,' Mr Bush said.

In his last appearance at court, Tarrant wore white prison overalls and had his hands chained to his waist.  

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the shootings as a 'terrorist attack', and said it was 'one of New Zealand's darkest days'.

Tarrant posted a rambling 'manifesto' online before the attacks.

He had worked as a personal trainer, and grew up in the New South Wales town of Grafton. 

TIMELINE OF TERROR: HOW THE CHRISTCHURCH MASSACRE THAT CLAIMED 50 LIVES UNFOLDED

A 28-year-old Australian man entered a mosque in central Christchurch on Friday afternoon and opened fire on people gathered inside the building - killing 50 people and leaving dozens more injured.

This is how the incident unfolded in local New Zealand Time.

1.40pm: First reports of a shooting at a mosque in central Christchurch. 

A man entered the mosque with an automatic weapon and opened fire on people inside. 

2.11pm: Police confirmed they were attending an 'evolving situation' in Christchruch.

Gunshots are heard in the area outside Masid Al Noor Mosque on Deans Avenue.

Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with one saying she attempted to give CPR to an injured person but they died.

2.17pm: Multiple schools went into lockdown in Christchurch. 

People who were in the mosque began to leave covered in blood and with gunshot wounds.

2.47pm: First reports of six people dead, three in a critical condition and three with serious injuries.

2.54pm:  Police Commissioner Mike Bush said the situation is 'serious and evolving' and told people to remain indoors and stay off the streets.

The Canterbury District Health Board activated its mass casualty plan.

3.12pm: New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern cancelled her afternoon arrangements.

3.21pm: Christchurch City Council locked down many of their central city buildings. 

3.33pm: First reports of a bomb in a beige Subaru that crashed on Strickland Street, three kilometres from the shootings.

3.40pm: Police confirmed there were multiple simultaneous attacks on mosques in Christchurch.

3.45pm: Reports of multiple shots fired at the shootings, which are ongoing.

3.59pm: 300 people were reported to be inside the moque.

4.00pm: One person is confirmed to be in custody but there are warnings there may be others out there.

Police commissioner Mike Bush urges Muslims across New Zealand to stay away from their local mosque.

4.10pm: Jacinda Ardern calls Friday 'one of New Zealand's darkest days'. 

5.27pm: First reports of a second shooting.

A witness said a Muslim local chased the shooters at the mosque in Linwood, firing in 'self defence'. 

5.31pm: Four people are confirmed to be in custody. including one woman.

Multiple fatalities were reported.

7.07pm: It was confirmed an AR15 rifle was used in the attack.

7.20pm: Dunedin Street was cordoned off.

Reports the attackers planned to also target the Al Huda Mosque.

7.26pm: At least 40 people were confirmed dead, Jacinda Ardern confirmed.

7.34pm: Confirmed that 48 people were being treated in hospital. 

7.46pm: Britomart train station in central Auckland was evacuated after bags were found unattended.

The bags were deemed not suspicious. 

8.35pm: New Zealand's Government confirmed this is the first time ever the terror level has been lifted from low to high.

9.03pm: Police Commissioner Mike Bush confirms that the death toll has risen to 49.

Brenton Tarrant was later charged with murder, and the death toll has since risen to 50.

 
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Accused Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant is charged with 50 counts of murder

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