Christchurch shooting: Alleged shooter’s family approached police

The Grafton family of Brenton Tarrant, the man today charged over the Christchurch mosque massacre, approached NSW Police as soon as they recognised his face on TV coverage of the atrocity.

• ‘Smug’ Tarrant faces court as Ardern pledges action

The Grafton family of Brenton Tarrant, the man today charged over the Christchurch mosque massacre, approached NSW Police as soon as they recognised his face on TV coverage of the atrocity.

“After the crime the family approached NSW Police after the saw the incident on TV,” NSW Police Commissioner Michael Fuller said.

Tarrant pictured in North Korea.

Brenton Tarrant during his three-minute court appearance on murder charges at Christchurch District Court. Picture: New Zealand Herald Mark Mitchell

LATEST UPDATES: Gunman opens fire at Christchurch mosque

SHOCK: Facebook’s fail as terror video up for hours

SHOOTER: Who is Aussie Brenton Tarrant?

MANIFESTO: Australian terrorist’s mosque attack motive revealed

REACTION: Sonny Bill William’s tears over Christchurch attack

WITNESS: ‘There were bodies all over me’

“It appears he spent very little time in Australia in the last four years.”

Originally from Grafton, Tarrant worked as a personal trainer at the Big River Squash and Fitness Centre.

The Commissioner on Saturday said there were “no active threats” in NSW linked to the massacre in New Zealand, however the national terrorism threat level remains at “probable”.

Brenton Tarrant as seen in the moments prior to his alleged shooting spree. Picture: AP

The childhood home of Brenton Tarrant in Grafton. Picture:Nathan Edwards

A woman lays flowers at a tribute to those who died in the Christchurch massacre. Picture: Getty

A total of 49 people died in the attack on two mosques on New Zealand’s South Island on Friday and more than 40 people are in hospital.

Commissioner Michael Fuller and Premier Gladys Berejiklian will this morning meet with Muslim clerics at the Australian National Imams Council.