Relatives of accused gunman Brenton Tarrant have told an Australian broadcaster that they're devastated at what happened, and are sorry for the families of those killed and injured.
Police officers search the area near the Al Noor mosque, site of one of the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, March 16, 2019. Photo: AP
The attacks on two mosques in Christchurch on Friday left 50 people dead and another 50 wounded.
Tarrant, 28, appeared in court on Saturday charged with murder and police said further charges would be laid.
Speaking in Grafton, New South Wales, the accused gunman's grandmother Marie Fitzgerald told Channel 9 that her grandson had changed completely from the boy she knew.
"We're all gobsmacked, we don't know what to think, it's ... you know the media is saying he's planned it for a long time, so he's obviously not of sound mind, I don't think.
Mrs Fitzgerald said her grandson appeared to change after a trip to Europe in 2010. "It's only since he travelled overseas, I think, that that boy has changed," she said.
His uncle, Terry Fitzgerald, said he could not think of anyone but the victims.
"We are so sorry for the families for the dead and the injured. I can't think nothing else, just shattered is the word," Mr Fitzgerald told Channel 9.
"First up I thought it could not be then I saw his photo … it's just not right ... its un-repairable," he said.
