Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, has been charged with murder, according to court documents, and more charges are expected to be laid
THE smirking New Zealand mosque shooter flashed a white power symbol as he appeared in court today following the terror attack that left 49 dead.
Aussie-born Brenton Harrison Tarrant, 28, has been charged with murder and more charges are expected to be laid.
Handcuffed and barefoot, he appeared at Christchurch District Court today under heavy security, wearing white prison clothing.
He reportedly smirked when media photographed him in the dock, flanked by two police officers.
Tarrant is accused of murdering a man, whose name was suppressed by Judge Paul Kellar on grounds of undue hardship to his family.
The accused killer was remanded in custody without plea to the High Court in Christchurch on April 5.
No application for bail was made.
A second man Daniel John Burrough, 18, of Christchurch has also been charged with intent to excite hostility or ill will against any group of persons in New Zealand on the ground of the colour, race or ethnic or national origins.
The court was closed to the public during his appearance because of the “heightened security risk”.
But despite this, a member of the public tried to get into the courtroom to "knife" the suspected mass killer, The New Zealand Herald reported.
He showed the paper a knife he had brought to court.
"What the f*** has happened here," he said of the mass killing.
Tarrant, 28, has been accused of storming the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch during Friday prayers and opening fire, leaving 41 dead.
Cops say he then drove for around seven minutes to a mosque in Linwood Avenue where he shot dead a further eight victims.
He was arrested and dragged from his car, which was rigged with two bombs, while on his way to slaughter more victims in Christchurch.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern declared that the country’s laws will change as a result of the depraved terror attack which was broadcast live on Facebook.
Ms Ardern said the shooter had two semi-automatic weapons, two shotguns and a lever-action firearm.
She said that he had obtained a gun licence in November 2017, adding: "Our gun laws will change.
"There were attempts to change the law in 2005 and 2012, and after an inquiry in 2017.
"Now is the time for change."
Speaking later on Saturday, Ms Ardern said it "appeared" the guns had been modified.
"One of the issues we are facing is that the guns that were used in this case appear to have been modified," she said.
She confirmed that the evil murderer had a Category A gun licence which enabled him to legally obtain semi-automatic weapons.
When asked by a reporter whether semi-automatic weapons should be banned, she said that it was one issue which should be examined.
Police initially took three men and a woman into custody following the shootings which have shocked the world.
Cops later said one of the arrests didn't relate to the shootings. The status of the third person is not yet known.
A bomb robot and explosives experts were today sent to search a “location of interest” in Dunedin – the city where Tarrant lived.
Ms Ardern said: "This individual has travelled around the world with sporadic periods of time spent in New Zealand.
"They were not a resident of Christchurch, in fact they were currently based in Dunedin at the time of this event."
Prime Minister Arden added that the safety of the public remains "our highest priority".
She said: "New Zealand police remain on high alert.
"Christchurch residents are urged to stay home and stay safe."
Speaking of the police officer who detained the suspect, Ms Ardern added: "Many of you may have seen the footage of the arrest and I can only describe it as an act of bravery on behalf of all New Zealanders and an act that showed very little regard for their own personal safety."
Ms Ardern said: "I want to finish by saying that while the nation grapples with a form of grief and anger that we have not experienced before, we are seeking answers.
"As is the entire nation, we are all unified in grieving together."
She added: "Rhetoric of racism, division and extremism has no place not only in New Zealand but I would say in a society as a whole."
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