Christchurch mosque attacks: 'Confronting' footage from terrorist's camera played to inquest

Tuesday, 24 October 2023

A video of the events of March 15, 2019, including footage from the terrorist’s GoPro camera, has been played at the most significant coronial inquest of its kind in New Zealand.

And as a tribute video to honour each life lost was played to the packed court, relatives of those killed broke down in tears.

Coroner Brigitte Windley’s first phase inquest into the murder of worshippers at Al Noor and the Linwood Islamic Centre began on Tuesday and will focus on 10 issues. They include the emergency response on the day and whether any of those who died could have been saved.

Because there was no criminal trial due to terrorist Brenton Tarrant’s guilty pleas, the first phase inquiry, of which the inquest is a part, is the only opportunity to examine whether the police, ambulance and fire responders could have done more to save lives.

An overview timeline video of the events of the day, including the emergency response, was played in court on Tuesday afternoon.

Before it was played, the coroner warned that the content, which included footage from the terrorist’s GoPro camera on the day – with the victims blurred – while not graphic, was “confronting and upsetting.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Farrant was the second officer in charge of Operation Deans – the police investigation into the attacks – and was the first to give evidence at the inquest on Tuesday.

He began by extending his deepest sympathies to the families of the victims of the attacks and by outlining the investigation – “ the largest homicide investigation in New Zealand … unprecedented in our history”.

The first 111 calls were received at 1.41pm, Farrant said. Members of the public went to the aid of people in need at Deans Ave, removed and took them to hospital, putting themselves at risk, he said.

By 2pm, police had apprehended the sole offender.

In the space of 19 minutes, 49 people were murdered, a further 42 injured, and two more later died, Farrant said.

Earlier in the day, in a courtroom filled with families and survivors, a mihi whakatau was conducted, followed by a reading of the Quran by Masjid An-Nur Imam Gamal Fouda and a minute’s silence held before the inquest formally opened at the Christchurch Justice Precinct.

Coroner Windley said while each of the 51 victims were joined by their faith and the events of March 15, each must be recognised for their own lives and the gap they left when they were lost.

“I recognise that many of your lives have been forever impacted. The events of March 15 can transition from dark to light, revealed by the evidence that we will hear.”

The coroner said the inquest would have a dual focus on the past and future. It would shine a light on the contributors to death, while hopefully providing lessons to learn.

“At the heart of each of these 51 inquiries is the person’s lives who’ve been lost.”

The inquest was not about liability or compensation, she said, “but it is about accountability on actions and inactions.

“For a great many, death was instant, leaving no question of survival. For a small number, we need to look at that question more closely.”

Regardless of the recommendations made, the inquest was the first opportunity for families to have access to information previously not available.

“I want to be clear that this is not an inquiry into the life of the man responsible for the 51 deaths, caused by the deliberate and heinous actions of that person.”

A common goal was to observe if any emergency response could be improved in the future.

“I ask simply that we keep each of the 51 people who lost their lives and that common goal at the centre of this hearing.

“We must remember each of them for the person each of them was to their families and communities.”

A coronial inquiry of this scale is unprecedented in New Zealand. There are more than 140 interested parties. More than 600 people are registered to attend the hearing in person at some stage. About 100 people have registered to watch it online.

The terrorist was originally among the interested parties for one of the issues (whether he had any assistance from any other person on March 15). His status was however revoked by the coroner and he is not expected to participate.

The coroner has yet to decide his status in respect of subsequent phases of the inquiry.

There is a requirement under the Coroners Act to provide him with an opportunity to be heard about any proposed adverse comment the coroner may make in her findings.

The 51 victims at the centre of the inquiry came from 21 nations and spoke 13 different languages.

The evidence runs to nearly 3000 documents, 4750 images, 2720 audio files and more than 80 hours of video footage.

Over the six weeks, the inquest will look into the following:

• The events of March 15 starting from the commencement of the attack through to the completion of the emergency response, and the terrorist’s police interview.

• The response times and entry processes of police and ambulance officers at each mosque.

• The triage and medical response at each mosque.

• The steps taken to apprehend the offender.

• The role of, and processes undertaken by Christchurch Hospital in responding to the attack.

• Coordination between emergency services and first responders.

• Did the terrorist have assistance from any other person on March 15.

• If raised by immediate family, and to the extent it can be ascertained, the final movements and time of death for each of the deceased.

• The cause of death for each deceased, and whether any death could have been averted had alternative medical triage and/or medical treatment been administered.

The tenth issue identified to be considered in the first phase inquest will be whether the emergency exit door in the south-east corner of Al Noor’s main prayer room failed to function to allow 'egress' during the massacre, and if so, why.

The coroner is expected to make any recommendations or findings sometime next year.