Police officers have been praised for their "absolute courage" in tracking down and arresting the man believed responsible for deadly terror attacks on two New Zealand mosques.
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Police responded within minutes of shots being fired at Christchurch's Masjid al Noor and a man was in custody soon after the second attack, on Linwood Masjid, a short time later.
The response has been credited with preventing an attack on a third mosque.
When questioned at a Thursday press conference about why the alleged shooter hadn't been arrested while driving between al Noor and Linwood, Police Commissioner Mike Bush praised how officers reacted to the shooting.
"Everyone in the Canterbury district did everything they could to bring that person into custody as quickly as possible," he said.
Getting the right information during a fast-moving event was critical, Mr Bush said.
Two officers, who had travelled into Christchurch from regional stations for armed offender training, rammed suspect Brenton Harrison Tarrant's car and then arrested the 28-year-old Australian.
"They acted with absolute courage, putting the safety of the public before their own, to make that happen," Police Commissioner Mike Bush said.
"I'm hugely proud of what they did."
Tarrant has since been charged with one count of murder, though further charges are expected when he returns to court.
Fifty people were killed and another 50 injured in the attack.
Australian Associated Press
