An investigation has been opened into just how a man being followed by New Zealand police entered a supermarket and pulled out what one witness described as a large knife and started stabbing people.
Police were able to apprehend the attacker within 60 seconds of his supermarket attack but he managed to stab at least six people before being shot dead.
Three victims were in critical condition, one in serious condition and another in moderate condition.
The attacker, who cannot be named due to a suppression order, had been known to multiple agencies since 2016.
According to Sky News, New Zealand Prime minister, Jacinda Ardern confirmed she had been personally aware of the alleged attacker.
She said: “This was someone who was known to our national security agencies and was of concern and was being monitored constantly. There are very few that fall into this category.”
News reports say the attacker had been recently released from prison.
In 2020, New Zealand courts had tried to prosecute the attacker under the Terrorism Suppression Act 2002, but a High Court judge ruled that preparing a terrorist attack was not in itself an offence under the country’s legislation.
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