In Surprise Move, Christchurch Shooting Suspect Pleads Guilty To 51 Counts Of Murder
NPRIn Surprise Move, Christchurch Shooting Suspect Pleads Guilty To 51 Counts Of Murder Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Baker/AP Mark Baker/AP The suspect in the shooting deaths of 51 worshipers at two Christchurch, New Zealand, mosques has pleaded guilty to murder, attempted murder and terrorism charges in a surprise deal with prosecutors. Instead, Tarrant appeared in court via video link on Thursday local time and told the judge he would change his plea from not guilty to guilty of 51 counts of murder, 40 counts of attempted murder and one count of terrorism. Enlarge this image toggle caption Mark Baker/AP Mark Baker/AP Jamal Green, a spokesperson for the Al Noor mosque, one the sites in which the gunman opened fire, said the plea was "sudden and unexpected," but provided some degree of "peace in the chaos," according to New Zealand's public broadcaster. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the guilty pleas give some relief to survivors and others affected by the massacre "whose lives were shattered by what happened on March 15."