A Christchurch worshipper, who was among the first to be targeted by a gunman Friday, is being hailed as a hero online for sharing "peaceful" and "courageous" words — likely his last — while confronting his attackers.
The man was overheard on a live stream video of the mass shooting saying, "Hello brother," as the gunman approached the entrance of the New Zealand mosque.
Mourners took to social media after the horrific massacre, which left at least 49 people dead, to honor the man.
"'Hello brother' a word came out of a pure soul filled with a peaceful faith. 'Hello brother' was said to a killer with a rifle pointed to this greeting. 'Hello brother' he said thinking that he is talking to a human with soul and feelings. 'Hello brother' was shot dead," one Twitter user commented early Friday.