Gunman a ‘regular white man who took a stand’

BRENTON Tarrant, the 28- year- old Australian who posted footage of his terror attack on the Christchurch mosques on social media, described himself in a so-called manifesto as an “ordinary white man who decided to take a stand”.

Tarrant, who worked as a personal trainer in Australia, said he was from a working class, low-income family.

“My parents are of Scottish, Irish and English stock.

“I had a regular childhood, without any great issues. I had little interest in education during my schooling, barely achieving a passing grade.

“I am just a regular white man, from a regular family, who decided to take a stand to ensure a future for my people.”

Describing himself as “an eco-fascist”, he said he wanted to incite violence and “intimidate immigrants to leave Western countries”.

His rifle and ammunition clips were painted with names celebrating people who used violence against Muslims, among them Anton Lundin Pettersson who killed two migrant children in Sweden in 2015, and Alexandre Bissonnette who killed six people in a mosque attack in Canada in 2017.

The soundtrack playing in Tarrant’s car was Remove Kebab, a song from the Bosnian genocide sung by soldiers of General Ratko Mladi, who has subsequently been found guilty of war crimes.

Tarrant’s views on Brexit are that “it is a wonderful thing”.

On whether or not he is a supporter of US President Donald Trump, he wrote: “As a symbol of renewed white identity and common purpose? Sure.

“As a policy maker and leader? Dear God no.”

BRENTON Tarrant, 28, posted images of his shooting spree in Christchurch, yesterday.