A three-year-old boy died in his father’s arms during yesterday’s terror attack in New Zealand.
Shootings at two mosques in Christchurch on March 15 saw at least 49 people killed, at the time of writing, and dozens more seriously injured, as a gunman open fired on the worshippers.
The names and stories of the victims are slowly emerging, as the country mourns it’s worst mass shooting in history.
The family of three-year-old Mucad Ibrahim have confirmed on social media the ‘energetic and playful’ child who ‘liked to smile and laugh a lot’ was killed during the attack.
Mucad’s older brother Abdi Ibrahim told Stuff he, Mucad and their father were at the Al Noor mosque when the shooting started.
Abdi described how Mucad ran out of the mosque as fast as he could, while his father and brother played dead.
Following the attack, Mucad’s family desperately searched for him, but he was nowhere to be seen.
At the time, Abdi told Stuff he feared the worst:
We’re most likely thinking he’s one of the people who has died at the mosque… at this stage everyone’s saying he’s dead.
It’s been pretty tough, a lot of people are ringing me asking if you need help. It’s been hard at the moment, [we’ve] never dealt with this.
Later that day, Mucad’s family confirmed his death on Facebook.
Sharing a photo of himself and Mucad, Abdi wrote:
‘Verily we belong to God and to Him we shall return’ – will miss you dearly brother.
A friend added ‘Mucad Ibrahim sadly passed away in his fathers arms, last night, and was taken away by staff’.
Well-wishers have been paying tribute to Mucad, offering the family their condolences.
One wrote:
So sad to hear about your loss, may his soul rest in peace, may Allah give patience to your family.
Another added:
My heart aches for you and your family. Nothing I can say can help, but my sincerest condolences.
While someone else commented:
So sorry to hear this brother, This is very sad. He was so young. Stay strong brother.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of all those affected by the attack.
If you’re concerned and need to contact a friend or relative please visit the International Committee of the Red Cross, who have set up a website by which you can restore links and register your own safety.
