Christchurch mosque shootings: gunman had previously shot himself

The Christchurch mosque gunman required hospital treatment after accidentally shooting himself while cleaning a firearm in the months leading up to the terror attack, it has been revealed.

It is believed that he was treated at Dunedin Hospital months before the attack on March 15 last year.

The injury was accidental after a bullet was misplaced while cleaning or handling the gun at his rented home in Dunedin, Stuff reports.

Medical personnel treating the man at the time did not inform authorities about the gunshot wounds.

The self-shot took place in mid-2018 and the attacker had bullet fragments in his eye and leg, Stuff reports.

The incident caused damage to his Dunedin rented home and required the landlord to repair it, Stuff said.

Report of the Royal Commission published today

The self-shooting is believed to be detailed in today’s public statement from the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the attacks on the mosque.

Muslim leaders hope their recommendations will help prevent future terrorist attacks.

The Herald understands that Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is likely to speak at a press conference impounded on secured “lockdown” events starting at 10 am to discuss the commission’s findings.

Andrew Little, the minister in charge of the country’s spy agencies, the Security Intelligence Service and the Government Communications Security Office, will also be present, as will Police Minister Poto Williams, the Minister of Justice Kris Fa’afo’i and local MP Megan. Forest.

A total of 51 worshipers, including children, were killed in what is New Zealand’s worst terrorist attack in the country’s modern history.

Survivors were informed of the commission’s findings.

Almost 21 months since the worst terrorist attack on New Zealand soil, the contents of the 792-page report by the Royal Commission, examining how the tragedy could have occurred, can be publicly revealed at 2pm.

The investigation, chaired by Commissioner Sir William Young, has been looking into the activities of Australian mass murderer Brenton Tarrant prior to the March 15, 2019 attacks, including his trip to New Zealand and around the world, how he obtained firearms. , your use of social media. and what the relevant state agencies knew about him prior to the attacks.

He also looked at what actions state agencies took, what else they could have done, and whether some of them, such as intelligence agencies, were too busy observing Islamic fundamentalism at the expense of the threat of white nationalism.

The report, which took into account around 400 interviews, including one with Tarrant, who was jailed for life without parole in August, is expected to include many recommendations aimed at preventing future similar tragedies.