25 Aug 2020

Christchurch mosque shooting: Family members share pain of loss at sentencing

From Morning Report, 7:09 am on 25 August 2020

Warning: This story deals with the fall out and details from from the Christchurch mosque shootings, which may be distressing for some.

Members of the Muslim community have confronted the man who murdered their family member and friends in the Christchurch mosque attacks.

At the killer's sentencing in the High Court at Christchurch, victims have begun offering heart-wrenching testimonies about how their lives were shattered on 15 March last year.

Brenton Tarrant, who has admitted 51 charges of murder, 40 of attempted murder and one of terrorism, sat silently in the dock, just metres away from the people he had hurt.

After one mother's testimony, the otherwise impassive killer, blinked heavily and wiped his eye.

Conan Young watched the hearing from a special court set up for the media and a warning, this story includes very distressing details.

If this story has given rise to to any thoughts or feelings you feel you need to discuss further you can call Healthline on 0800 6111 16, or send a text or call 1737 to speak to a counsellor.