Casualties feared as police respond to active shooter in New Zealand

Casualties are feared after a gunman opened fire in a mosque during Friday prayers in Christchurch, New Zealand, on Friday. Armed police have been deployed.

Police said they were responding to a "critical incident" and urged people in central Christchurch to stay indoors.

A witness told local media that a man came into the mosque with an automatic rifle and shot people.

About 300 people were reportedly inside the mosque when the attack took place.

Police Commissioner Mike Bush said all schools in the city had been placed on lockdown in response to "a serious ongoing firearms incident."

There is no official confirmation on casualties yet. 

(CGTN)