One of the suspected gunmen responsible for the deaths of innocent civilians in a terror attack on two mosques in New Zealand has praised PewDiePie in a live stream of the shootings.
As the death toll rises and New Zealand mourns those lost, numbering 49 with at least 20 more seriously injured after two shootings at places of worship in Christchurch, revelations about one of the gunmen’s motives unfold.
The shootings have been described by New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern as one of the country’s ‘darkest days’, as authorities are calling it an unprecedented act of violence.
Witnesses told local media survivors ran for their lives past people bleeding on the ground outside the Al Noor mosque, in the centre of the city located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island.
The first report of an attack came from this mosque, which is opposite Hagley Park, and most details have so far come from eye-witnesses.
The attacker reportedly targeted the men’s prayer room in the mosque, then moved to the women’s room, in a despicable assault which the assailant live-streamed.
In the ‘extremely distressing’ footage, which police have asked the public not to share online, the gunman drives up to the mosque with loud music playing.
Referencing the YouTuber before committing this atrocity, they said:
Let’s get this party started.
Remember lads, subscribe to PewDiePie.
PewDiePie, real name Felix Kjellberg, is a 29-year-old YouTuber with 89 million subscribers
Sharing his thoughts on Twitter, the gamer wrote:
Just heard news of the devastating reports from New Zealand Christchurch. I feel absolutely sickened having my name uttered by this person.
My heart and thoughts go out to the victims, families and everyone affected by this tragedy.
Facebook said it had removed the shooter’s Facebook and Instagram accounts, as well as any third-party support for the crimes committed.
Three men and one woman are in custody, Police Commissioner Mike Bush has confirmed, but warned more suspects may be at large.
It is not yet known how many shooters were involved in the atrocity.
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said one of those arrested was an Australian citizen.
He described the suspected attacker as an ‘extremist right-wing violent terrorist’, who is believed to have written a manifesto outlining his intentions.
In the manifesto, posted to the largely unregulated message board 8chan, the suspected shooter credits different inspirations for the shooting from certain games to conservative politicians.
Some commentators have noted these references may have been calculated to spark division, and perhaps even violence, between the left and the right.
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A former emo kid who talks too much about 8Chan meme culture, the Kardashian Klan, and how her smartphone is probably killing her. Francesca is a Cardiff University Journalism Masters grad who has done words for BBC, ELLE, The Debrief, DAZED, an art magazine you’ve never heard of and a feminist zine which never went to print.