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Chad Vinzelberg appears in court on firearm charges after allegedly supporting Christchurch terror attack online

An Adelaide man who allegedly posted social media comments in support of the Christchurch mosque massacres has wept in court.

Chad Vinzelberg leaves Adelaide court

An Adelaide man who posted social media comments in support of the Christchurch mosque massacre has been granted bail on condition he keep off the internet.

Chad Rolf Vinzelberg, 37, hung his head and wept as he faced Elizabeth Magistrates Court on Monday charged with one count of aggravated possessing a firearm without a licence and four counts of using or possessing a prohibited weapon.

Chad Vinzelberg leaves Elizabeth Magistrates Court. Picture: AAP / Kathryn Bermingham
Chad Vinzelberg leaves Elizabeth Magistrates Court. Picture: AAP / Kathryn Bermingham
Chad Vinzelberg faced court over firearm charges. He was arrested after allegedly making comments in support of the Christchurch terror attack.
Chad Vinzelberg faced court over firearm charges. He was arrested after allegedly making comments in support of the Christchurch terror attack.

Police prosecutor Brevet Sergeant Peter Finey told the court police were on Friday made aware of comments posted by Vinzelberg and photos that showed him with a firearm.

“It was after the Christchurch massacre,” he said.

“He posted certain things on Facebook in support of that.”

The court heard the discovery led police to search Vinzelberg’s home at Smithfield, north of Adelaide, where they seized a fake pistol, extendable baton and two flick knives from under his mattress, and a medieval mace and crossbow from his shed.

In an interview, Vinzelberg told officers he bought the fake pistol at a garage sale several years ago, and the other weapons were bought online, on Gumtree or at a shop at Salisbury.

Brevet Sergeant Finey said police were opposed to all forms of bail because of the potential danger posed by Vinzelberg.

“The messages posted on Facebook by the defendant (that) brought him to police attention are significant in concern and, in light of that, the prosecution have a general concern for the safety of the public,” he said.

But defence lawyers said a lot of the seized weapons were mounted ornamental items found in what Vinzelberg referred to as his “man cave”.

They also argued Vinzelberg worked 40-60 hours a week as a demolition rigger, pays the mortgage on his family’s home, and had never been remanded in custody before.

Magistrate Gary Gumpl released Vinzelberg on $2000 bail on the condition he does not access or post anything on the internet, and he will reappear before the court in December.

Vinzelberg, who was supported in court by his partner and father, ran from waiting media after he was released.

New Zealand gun laws: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern promises reforms after terror attack

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/law-order/chad-vinzelberg-appears-in-court-on-firearm-charges-after-allegedly-supporting-christchurch-terror-attack-online/news-story/5b2415ac8f5c3655542f2e8240f73733