‘Received gunman’s manifesto 9 mins before attack’

Wellington: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on Sunday said she received the Christchurch gunman’s ‘manifesto’ barely nine minutes before the attack.

The attacker was brought down within 36 minutes, she told the press, as she announced a crucial cabinet meet on Monday.

Ardern said by the time a police plan was in place, the 911 number was already buzzing, shots had been fired. The pocket to react was slim, very very slim, she said, and promised all out help to the kin of every member killed.

Fifty people were killed and 50 injured in what is New Zealand’s worst attack, when Australian Brenton Tarrant, 28, opened fire at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques during the Friday prayers.

IANS