24/08/2020 12:05
Christchurch shooting: Gunman Tarrant wanted to kill 'as many as possible'
The man who killed 51 people at two mosques in New Zealand in 2019 had plans to target a third mosque, his sentencing hearing has heard.
Brenton Tarrant also planned to burn down the mosques, wanting to "inflict as many fatalities as possible".
The Australian has pleaded guilty to 51 counts of murder, 40 attempted murders and one charge of terrorism.
Tarrant, 29, faces life in prison, possibly without parole - a sentence never before imposed in New Zealand.
He was confronted by survivors and relatives of the victims in court on Monday.
"You gave yourself the authority to take the souls of 51 innocent people, their only crime - in your eyes - being Muslims," said Maysoon Salama, whose son Atta Elayyan was killed.
"You transgress beyond comprehension, I cannot forgive you."