New Delhi: New Zealand police on Friday shooting and killing ‘extremist violence’ inspired by the Islamic State, said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
The attacker knew the police, added Ardern.
He was a national Sri Lankan who was in New Zealand for 10 years and has become a ‘interesting person’ for about five years, said PM.
He stabbed and injured at least six people at the supermarket in the city of Auckland.
“Violent extremists carry out terrorist attacks on innocent New Zealand people,” Ardern said to the briefing.
The man was killed in 60 seconds after the attack, he said.
“It’s full of hatred, it’s wrong.
It’s done by an individual, not faith,” Ardern said.
“He himself brought responsibility for this action.” A video posted on social media shows buyers at the new Lynn supermarket shortly after the attacker hit.
“There is someone here with a knife …
he has a knife,” a woman could hear said.
“Someone is stabbed.” A guard asked people to leave the shopping center shortly before about six shots sounded.
Of the six injured people, three in critical conditions, one in serious and other conditions in moderate conditions, said St John’s ambulance service in a statement to Reuters.
The witnesses told reporters outside the mall they had seen several people lie on the floor with stab wounds.
Others said they heard gunshots when they ran out of supermarkets.
Videos posted online before showing panic buyers who run out of malls and seek protection.
New Zealand has been vigilant for attacks since the white armed man killed 51 people in two mosques in the city of Christchurch on March 15, 2019.
In May, four were stabbed in a supermarket on the South of New Zealand Island.
(With input from agency)