As investigators and journalists still piece together details on what led to the shooting at two New Zealand mosques by a self-proclaimed white supremacist, a full picture on who the victims are still hasn’t completely emerged. But since the story broke, there’s been talk of a person who tried to confront the shooter amidst the chaos around him. Now we’re getting to know who that person was.
In the chilling headcam footage livestreamed by the shooter, a man can be seen running towards him before being shot. According to multiple sources, that man’s name was Naeem Rashid.
Rashid’s 21-year-old son, Talha, had reportedly already been shot when his father rushed the gunman. According to a Pakistani news outlet, Rashid was later rushed to a hospital where he died. His son perished as well.
Halfway through the New Zealand shooting, as dozens around him lay dead, a single unarmed worshipper rushed the shooter, doing whatever he could to make him stop.
Some people will publicize the villain.
Let's remember the heroes instead.#Christchurch#NewZealandShooting
— Muhammad Lila (@MuhammadLila) March 15, 2019
Rashid was originally from the Abbottabad city of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan. He worked in banking before he relocated to Christchurch, New Zealand.
All across social media, Rashid is being hailed as a hero.
إِنَّا لِلّهِ وَإِنَّـا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
This is Naeem Rashid. He is the man in the video who heroically sacrificed himself to stop the terrorist at the shootings in New Zealand. His son Talha was also killed in the terrorist attacked.
Make his name known to the world. pic.twitter.com/6mSPKm4u1J
— $ (@kashmiribby) March 15, 2019
Sad and Heart wrenching
Naeem Rashid, the Pakistani hero and his son has lost their lives while stopping the terrorist to enter the Mosque in #ChristchurchTerrorAttack
RIP In Heavens Comrade
Whole Pakistan is proud of you. Our feelings and thoughts with the family pic.twitter.com/uFDvgG5CLJ— Riz Khan (@snake_truths) March 15, 2019
Naeem Rashid from Abottabad, Pakistan. He attempted to prevent the terrorist in the face of bullets & was shot dead.
His son Talha was also killed in the attack.
His brave mother, Mrs. Rasheed, lost a son many years ago to a fire.
To him we all belong, to him we all return pic.twitter.com/iDBDwRRF4P
— Hamzah Ali Khan (@HamzahKingKhan) March 15, 2019
According to Pakistan’s High Commission in Wellington, Dr. Mohammad Faisal, four Pakistani men were wounded and five others were still missing after the shooting.
Current reports say a total of 49 people were killed during the attack which targeted two mosques.
You can read the latest updates on the story at CNN.
Featured image via Twitter
