Writing On Christchurch Attacker's Guns... Explained

September 14th 2019

Terrorism breeds terrorism. Elliot Rodger's incel-driven spree attack upon Isla Vista inspired Alek Minassians truck attack in Toronto, whilst the Burnette Chapel shooting in September 2017 targeted white people and was motivated by retaliation for Dylann Roofs white supremacist attack upon Charleston Church, a historically black church, two years earlier.

Brenton Tarrant's attack upon two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, was no different, and Tarrant made his inspirations clear by scrawling various references to political people and incidents on the guns and magazines he used to kill 51 worshippers. Many historical figures are referenced such as Charles Martel (a Frankish statesman), Skanderberg (an Albanian military commander who directed a rebellion against the Ottoman Empire), Serban Cantacuzino (a Prince of Wallachia), amongst various others, however this will focus on the criminal and terroristic modern-day incidents that inspired Tarrant unto his attack. Tarrant referenced various other incidents in his manifesto, however given it is illegal in certain parts of the world, this won't be looked at.

Alexandre Bissonnette (perpetrator of the Quebec City mosque shooting)

In late January 2017, Canadian-born Alexandre Bissonnette opened fire at the Quebec City mosque, killing 6 and injuring 19. Bissonnette allegedy held white nationalist, anti-Islamic, and anti-immigrant views. He was sentenced to 40 years without parole for the attack.

Luca Traini (perpetrator of the Macerata shooting)

In early February 2018, 28 year old Luca Traini opened fire on a group of African migrants during a  drive-by shooting, leading to 6 of the group being injured. He insisted the attacks were revenge for the murder of Pamela Mastropietro, an 18 year old found killed and dismembered a few days earlier, and after which three Nigerian immigrants had been arrested in connection with the murder. Traini was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

Refugees Welcome To Hell

A reference to the liberal slogan “Refugees Welcome!” regarding the allowance of mass-immigration into Europe after the Syrian Civil War destroyed many homes and cities.

Josue Estebanez (killer of anti-facist Carlos Palomino)

In November 2007, Josue Estebanez boarded a train to an anti-immigration protest arranged by far-right group National Democracy. After an altercation with 16 year old counter-protestor Carlos Palomino, Estebanez stabbed the youngster to death. Estebanez was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.

Anton Lund Pettersson (perpetrator of the Trollhattan school attack)

Armed with a sword, 21 year old Anton Lund Pettersson killed 3 people of ethnic-origin before being shot dead by police. Swedish police confirmed that racial motivations led to the attak. Petterson had visited right-wing extremist sites, and left a note insisting he “had to do something about immigration”.

Ebba Akerlund

The youngest victim of the Stockholm truck attack in April 2017. Five people were killed and fourteen were injured in an Islamic jihadist attack. The perpetrator was sentenced to life in prison.

“For Madrid”

Presumably relating to the 2004 Madrid train bombings, a series of co-ordinated Al-Qaeda attacks. The bombings killed 193 people and injured around 2,000.

“For Berlin”

Presumably relating to the December 2016 truck attack upon a Berlin Christmas market which killed 12 people and left another 56 injured. ISIS claimed responsibility, and showed a video of the perpetrator pledging allegiance to their leader.

Additionally, whilst driving en route to the first mosque, the first song played by Tarrant in his car was “Serbia Strong!”, an old Serbian song using various derogatory terms towards Bosnian Muslims whilst glorifying Bosnian-Serb politician and convicted war criminal Radovan Karadzic.