“Violent extremist inspired by the Islamic State…

The perpetrator attacked shoppers with a knife at the New Lane supermarket in Auckland on Friday morning. Video footage on social media shows people trying to leave the store in a panic. “Someone with a knife. He has a knife! He stabbed someone!” cried a woman. Then six shots in a short time.

According to police, the perpetrator was shot and killed “within 60 seconds of starting his attack”. Three of the injured are said to be in critical condition, the fourth sustained serious but not life-threatening injuries, while the other two sustained only minor injuries.

“Inspired by the Islamic State”

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was an “act of terrorism against innocent New Zealanders” by a “violent extremist inspired by the Islamic State”. “What happened today was despicable, it was abhorrent, it was wrong,” the statement added, “The act was carried out by an individual and not by an ideology that no one here supports.”

It relates to a Sri Lankan man who has been living in New Zealand for ten years and has been known to the police for five years. Police Commissioner Andrew Costner said police were monitoring the man and were nearby when the attack occurred. “The truth is that when you are watching someone 24/7, you can never be next to them. Staff intervened as quickly as possible and prevented further injuries in a terrifying situation.”

In New Zealand, the drama in Christchurch is still fresh in our minds. An Australian shot and killed 51 people at two mosques in March 2019. In May, four more people were stabbed in a supermarket in Dunedin, New Zealand’s South Island.