March 15, 2019 | 6:48pm | Updated March 15, 2019 | 10:59pm
The suspected white supremacist who allegedly slaughtered 49 people in mass shootings at two separate mosques in New Zealand appeared in court in the city of Christchurch and was charged with murder Saturday morning local time, authorities said.
Brenton Tarrant, 28, was hit with just one murder charge, New Zealand Police said, but more charges were expected.
Tarrant, who was handcuffed and clad in a white prison jumpsuit, made an “OK” hand gesture during his appearance — a symbol used by white nationalists and racist internet trolls, according to a photo published by the New Zealand Herald.
He was remanded without bail and is expected back in court April 5.
He killed 41 people at the Al Noor Mosque in the center of the city, then slaughtered seven more at the Linwood Mosque about 3 miles away, authorities said.
Another victim died at a nearby hospital.
Tarrant livestreamed his attack on Facebook and left behind a manifesto, in which he rambled about white supremacy and racism.