Australian police search homes linked to New Zealand mosque attacks

SYDNEY: Australian counter-terrorism police raided two homes early Monday linked to the mass shooting that killed 50 people at two New Zealand mosques last week, police said.

The homes were in New South Wales where the accused gunman, Brenton Tarrant, grew up, though he has spent most of the last decade overseas, officials said.

"The primary aim of the activity is to formally obtain material that may assist New Zealand police in their ongoing investigation," a police statement said.

Australian terrorist, Tarrant used Facebook to live broadcast his initial assault on the Noor Mosque, where at least 50 worshippers were murdered and dozens more wounded.

In that opening attack, footage from his broadcast showed Tarrant mercilessly spraying bullets inside the mosque, killing  50 people and leaving more than 30 others in the hospital and then returning to his car to fetch a new rifle.