INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department says they will be providing extra patrols around local mosques after a deadly New Zealand attack.
At least 49 people were killed and dozens of others were seriously injured after gunmen opened fire at two New Zealand mosques during Friday prayers.
An official with IMPD says they are in constant contact with federal and state law enforcement partners and actively monitoring the situation in New Zealand. That official says there are no known threats to mosques in Indianapolis, but they will conduct extra patrols out of an abundance of caution.
"Our hearts are with those impacted by the unspeakable/heinous acts that occured in New Zealand," IMPD posted on Twitter Friday morning. "Prayers for comfort and healing to the families who are suffering from sudden loss. We are also thinking of @nzpolice and other #FirstResponders involved."
The New Zealand shootings occurred at the Masjid Al Noor mosque and the nearby Linwood Masjid mosque in the city of Christchurch. Witnesses stated the shooter entered the mosque with a semi-automatic weapon and began firing into the service. He then fled from the mosque on foot, triggering a lockdown of the nearby area including several schools.
Officials say four people were apprehended by police, three men and one woman, shortly after the attack and a 28-year-old man has been charged with the attack.
That man alegedly posted a white-nationalist manifesto on Twitter and 8chan, and a link to his Facebook page where he said he would broadcast the shooting.
Investigators say they also found and defused two improvised explosives attached to one of the attacker's vehicles.
Read messages of support from other Hoosier first responders and politicians below.
Our hearts are with those impacted by the unspeakable/heinous acts that occurred in New Zealand. Prayers for comfort and healing to all the families who are suffering from sudden loss. We are also thinking of @nzpolice and other #FirstResponders involved. pic.twitter.com/tSQIV5gqXX
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) March 15, 2019
An attack on people as they pray peacefully, however they worship and wherever they are, is an attack on us all. May every New Zealander and every Muslim hurting today feel lifted up in love and solidarity.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) March 15, 2019
We send our condolences & prayers to the families of those who perished in the horrific mosque shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand. We condemn this attack on people of faith in the strongest terms. America stands with @JacindaArdern & the people of New Zealand. God be with you
— Vice President Mike Pence (@VP) March 15, 2019
Our hearts are with those impacted by the unspeakable/heinous acts that occurred in New Zealand. Prayers for comfort and healing to all the families and #firstresponders in @nzpolice who are suffering from sudden loss. pic.twitter.com/qK5c2Ghb5M
— Madison County EMA (@MadisonCoEMA) March 15, 2019
