Kiwis are reacting in shock after a lone man carried out a terrorist attack in Auckland on Friday afternoon.
The terror attack unfolded just after 2:40pm, when the man entered Countdown LynnMall in the suburb of New Lynn and grabbed a knife - before stabbing multiple people. Within minutes, he was shot dead by intelligence teams who were closely following him.
Six people were injured in the attack; three critically, one seriously and two moderately.
"It was carried out by an individual, not faith, not a culture, not an ethnicity - but an individual person who was gripped by [an] ideology that is not supported here by anyone or any community," Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said of the attack.
"He alone carries the responsibility for these acts. Let that be where the judgement falls."
Here's how New Zealand has reacted.
New Lynn MP Deborah Russell
"My deepest sympathy to the people who were injured in the attack at LynnMall today. I know our doctors and nurses and health teams will be doing their utmost to look after them."
National Party police spokesperson Simeon Brown
"My thoughts are with those who were attacked and injured in the horrific stabbing attack in New Lynn this afternoon. My thanks to the bravery of our police in this awful situation."
Auckland City Mayor Phil Goff
"Our thoughts are with all those affected by the incident in New Lynn. Please stay safe and look out for one another."
Auckland City councillor Shane Henderson
"Stay safe everyone. Heartbreaking for the New Lynn community who'll be hurt and angry, and thinking of our essential workers there too."
Mental health advocate Jazz Thornton
"My thoughts & prayers are with everyone affected by the New Lynn attack today. Remember to be kind, to reach out and that today's events are the actions of an individual, not a race, community or religion."
Amnesty International New Zealand executive director Meg de Ronde
"It's shocking for our community & my thoughts are with the injured & impacted."
https://twitter.com/golrizghahraman/status/1433679757833424904
READ MORE
- Why supermarket terror attacker wasn't charged under terror laws despite being on watchlist
- Prime Minister says Auckland knife terrorist was violent extremist under heavy surveillance
- Police shoot man dead after attack at Countdown LynnMall in Auckland leaves multiple people injured
Discover Islam NZ chief editor Sabah Al-Zafar
"Our heartfelt prayers go out to those affected by the terrorist attack at the New Lynn supermarket today. As Imams, we will continue in our struggle to fight off the perverted ideology & interpretation of Islam that is put forward by ISIS and other extremist groups."
Police Commissioner Andrew Coster
"Our thoughts are with the victims of today's attack, their families and those who were caught up in this horrific event. People have an absolute right to feel safe going about their normal activities."
Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson
"This is a time now to support our communities and guard against the kind of hate and prejudice that inspired this attack."
ACT leader David Seymour
"This kind of ideologically motivated violence has no place in our country. The ACT Party agrees with the Prime Minister that the individual alone is responsible."
Associate Health Minister Ayesha Verrall
"Wishing the six in hospital a speedy recovery and thinking of all the witnesses to today's attack. Kia kaha Tāmaki Makaura."
Jewish Council of New Zealand spokeswoman Juliet Moses
"Our thoughts are with the victims and we pray for their full, speedy recovery. Terrorism and support for extremist ideology have no place in Aotearoa New Zealand."
Green Party co-leader James Shaw
"We stand with everyone today, stand for love and inclusion in our communities across Aotearoa, and we thank the police and bystanders for acting quickly in such a terrifying situation."
