New Zealand police searching for in ‘Trump 2020’ shirt who allegedly shouted anti-Muslim remarks outside mosque

Getty Images

Police in New Zealand are searching for a man wearing a “Trump 2020” shirt who allegedly shouted anti-Muslim remarks outside one of the mosques targeted in the Christchurch terror attack.

A police spokesperson confirmed to The Hill on Wednesday that officers are actively seeking the man involved in the incident.

“He could face a disorderly behaviour charge,” the spokesperson said.

{mosads}The alleged incident was detailed in a social media post obtained by New Zealand outlet 1 News.

A man, reportedly wearing a black “Trump 2020” shirt, approached the front of the Al Noor Mosque on Deans Avenue in Christchurch. 

“He was swearing and saying that all Muslims are terrorists and that we hate Jesus, in addition to saying that we all need to leave NZ, among other things,” the Facebook post of the incident reportedly read.

The suspect allegedly stood around for about 15 minutes while he “kicked and tried to damage some of the memorial items.”

A police spokesperson said that armed guards, who have remained outside of the two mosques and the hospital, let the man go.

“Officers at the scene made the decision not to potentially inflame the situation at that significant location,” a police spokesperson told The Hill. 

The Al Noor Mosque was one of two places of worship targeted during the March 15 terror attack, which left 50 people dead. 

The incident outside the mosque came on the same day that the country’s lawmakers approved sweeping gun restrictions banning most semi-automatic weapons — the type of weapon used by the gunman during the attack. 

—Updated at 4:21 p.m.

Tags Christchurch mosque shootings Donald Trump

Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Most Popular

Load more