The attackers struck during Friday prayers when the mosques were full of worshippers. 

Witnesses saw a man dressed in black enter a mosque in central Christchurch at about 1:45 p.m., then heard dozens of shots. As people fled the mosque, witnesses reported seeing "dead people everywhere."

Three men and a woman have been arrested. So far, one of the suspects has been charged with murder.

This peaceful island nation of five million people was shocked as the massacre was covered on national TV. "This is NEW ZEALAND - we don't expect something like this to happen. The attacks, the terror," one reporter said. 

Scores of victims were rushed to nearby hospitals. "I saw some people had blood on their body and some people were limping," an eyewitness said.

One woman said she even saw the shooting unfold. "I heard what I thought was fireworks and I saw a bunch of fellas running down the street. Then all of a sudden it got violent," she said.

Authorities said none of the suspects had been on any watch list. A man who claimed responsibility for the shootings left a 74-page anti-immigrant manifesto in which he explained who he was and his reasoning for the attack. He said he was a 28-year-old white Australian. 

One of the attacks was reportedly live streamed on the discussion site 8chan, which also carried the gunman's "manifesto" denouncing immigration.

Muslims make up only one percent of New Zealand's population. The country's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the values of her country would not be "shaken" by the deadly mosque attacks.

"This is one of New Zealand's darkest days," Ardern said.

While authorities do not believe there are more suspects, the nation's national security threat level is being raised to its second-highest level. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Revival Grips Brazil's Amazon: 'God Is Everything for Me'

More Arson? Investigators Sift Through Ashes at Landmark 173-Year-Old Church Searching for Clues

Shocking Survey: More than Two-Thirds of Gen-Z Don't Know What America 250 Commemorates (Video)

US House to Vote on Bill Making Daylight Savings Time Permanent

What to Know About Darline Nordone, Lindsey Graham's Sister Appointed to Fill His Seat

Amid Renewed War against Iran's Islamic Regime, the Country's People Once Again Take to the Streets in Anti-government Protests

US Pounds Iranian Targets After Blockade Reimposed; Trump Scraps 20% Fee for Trade Deals

'Abundant Life': Study Finds Bible-Reading Is Better Self-Care Than Exercise

A New Low: Doctors Are Now Making the Case for Death by Organ Donation

Trump Administration Launches Anti-Predator Initiative for Schools K-12

US Targeting Islamic Republic Army Bases, Strikes IRGC Nuclear Town; People of Iran React to Sen. Graham's Death

Cause of Death Revealed for Lindsey Graham, Pro-Life Champion and Strong Defender of Israel

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71

'The Way, The Truth and The Life': Direct Descendant of Muhammad Now Follows Jesus

Food for Thought: The Rich Do Not Get Rich at Expense of the Poor [Video]

Mamdani Erases Little Italy ... and (Of Course) the Jews

A Lesson from King David, and a Call to Prayer from Give Him 15

Prayer Alert: Israel Has Informed the US of Another Specific Plot to Assassinate Donald Trump

Marco Rubio Steps in After Tim Walz Pardoned Illegal Alien Child Rapist before Deportation

Prosecutors Present Texts of Alleged Confession by Tyler Robinson in Hearing for Charlie Kirk Murder