Christchurch Mosque Attack Survivor: “I Was Shot 9 Times… I Shouldn’t Be Here!”
Episode Description
This podcast needs to come with a very strong warning. It is a very graphic account of the darkest day in New Zealand’s history. Please listen with caution.
On March 15, 2019, Temel Atacocugu was praying at the Al Noor Mosque in Christchurch when a white supremacist terrorist stormed in.
At the end of the despicable cowardly attack which shocked and disgusted New Zealand and the world,
51 worshippers were dead and a further 40 were injured by gunfire.
Temel Atacocugu miraculously survived the attack and walked out of the mosque and into the ambulance after being shot a total of nine times.
This is part of his story:
His early years in Turkey and his move to New Zealand after meeting and falling in love with a Kiwi.
What his life looked like before the shooting.
His recollections of that unimaginable day in 2019.
Then the long, slow and painful road to healing. Including countless operations, attending court proceedings and addressing the terrorist, living with PTSD, survivor's guilt, struggles with ACC and more.
This was the first time Temel and I met. And, to me, he looked fit, happy and healthy.
For me this was a good reminder that from outward appearances you never know what someone is going through or what they have experienced.
If Temel had one key takeaway, it would be for each of us to do our bit to make NZ peaceful, safe and kind for future generations.
00:00 Who is Temel Atacocugu? 08:43 Navigating Muslim Identity and Tragedy 26:36 Immigration, Resettlement, and Adversity 39:01 The horror of March 15th 2019 01:16:14 Recovery and Reunion After Tragedy 01:31:29 Reflection Amid Trauma 01:43:43 Temel Challenges With Compensation and Recovery 01:52:17 Overcoming Trauma Through Community Support
Brief Summary
A survivor of the Christchurch mosque shooting shares his harrowing experience and ongoing mission for awareness and community safety.
Key points
- The Impact of Trauma. The survivor shares the ongoing emotional toll of the shooting years later.
- Immigration to New Zealand. The speaker reflects on the reasons for choosing New Zealand, emphasizing safety and opportunities for his children.
- The Day of the Attack. March 15, 2019, started as a peaceful day but turned into a nightmare during prayers.
- A Miraculous Escape. Despite being shot multiple times, the speaker describes a surreal experience of survival during the attack.
- Surviving the Attack. A firsthand account of the chaos and survival instinct during a shooting.
- A Heroic Act. A woman barricaded herself to save others during the attack.
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Episode highlights
- The Impact of TraumaThe survivor shares the ongoing emotional toll of the shooting years later.“Every year, especially in March, I start the stress.”3:36Mar 11, 2025
- Immigration to New ZealandThe speaker reflects on the reasons for choosing New Zealand, emphasizing safety and opportunities for his children.“New Zealand is pretty much easy because they see us.”27:40Mar 11, 2025
- The Day of the AttackMarch 15, 2019, started as a peaceful day but turned into a nightmare during prayers.“Hell Breaks Loose basically.”39:09Mar 11, 2025
- A Miraculous EscapeDespite being shot multiple times, the speaker describes a surreal experience of survival during the attack.“I see the spirits come out and I see myself around a big bubble.”43:30Mar 11, 2025
- Surviving the AttackA firsthand account of the chaos and survival instinct during a shooting.“I was pretending to be dead at this point.”52:12Mar 11, 2025
- A Heroic ActA woman barricaded herself to save others during the attack.“She’s very brave to hold the door behind.”55:51Mar 11, 2025
- The Silence After the ShootingDescribing the eerie quiet and the sounds of suffering after the gunfire stopped.“You only hear the sound of people dying.”57:43Mar 11, 2025
- A Nurse's ReassuranceWaking up in the hospital, a nurse's gentle voice brings comfort after trauma.“Wake up, you are safe!”1:19:31Mar 11, 2025
