Madison Reidy, Business reporter [email protected]
This story is republished with Radio New Zealand’s permission.
WARNING: This story discusses graphic details of violence and may be distressing for some readers.
A 43-year-old father shot in the back at the Deans Avenue mosque in Riccarton, Christchurch on Friday says the perpetrator returned to ‘finish’ anyone he had already shot.
Osman Ahmed said as he laid underneath a pile of 10 to 15 bodies, he watched the shooter fire numerous bullets into bodies that flinched.
“He was really not leaving anyone moving. I could see him shooting, coming over us, and finishing each one of us.
“If anyone moved, even crying, he would kill them. He would come back and shoot them.”
Mr Ahmed said he survived the attack because he lay underneath bodies, holding his breath.
When the shooter left, he said he pushed the bodies off himself and escaped through a broken window.
Mr Ahmed was discharged from Christchurch Hospital yesterday morning and reunited with his wife and three children.
His eldest daughter Mulki Abdiwahab, 18, fled the mosque barefoot with her mother on Friday when she heard shots being fired in the area of the mosque her father was praying in.
Mr Ahmed said he expected to die.
“I didn’t believe when I woke up, I’m still breathing. Doctors said ‘you were so lucky man’.”
He realised a shooter was in the mosque when he heard shots, and his friends running and shouting ‘Allah, help us’.
He said he was struggling to sleep and breathe with his injury, however he was thankful he and his family survived.
He wanted to “give a big hug” to the young couple that risked their lives to transport him and two other injured to the hospital on Friday afternoon.
Mr Ahmed said he now wanted to see justice served.Osman Ahmed shared his his memory of Friday’s attack with RNZ – Warning, distressing content duration5′ :09″from Morning ReportAdd to playlistDownload
Osman Ahmed shared his his memory of Friday’s attack with RNZ – Warning, distressing content
Where to get help:
Need to Talk? Free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason.
Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202
Samaritans: 0800 726 666 (24/7)
Youthline: 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 (8am-12am), or email [email protected]
What’s Up: online chat (3pm-10pm) or 0800 WHATSUP / 0800 9428 787 helpline (12pm-10pm weekdays, 3pm-11pm weekends)
Kidsline (ages 5-18): 0800 543 754 (24/7)
Rural Support Trust Helpline: 0800 787 254
Healthline: 0800 611 116
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
