A man who claimed responsibility for the New Zealand mosque attack that killed at least 49 people wrote a manifesto that described President Donald Trump as a "symbol of renewed white identity," according to CBS News.
CBS News reports the manifesto appears to have been posted online around the time of the attack by a man who described himself as an "ordinary" 28-year-old who was born in Australia. CBS News has not been able to independently confirm the poster was the actual attacker.
The writer expresses concerns about "white genocide" driven by "mass immigration."
The anti-immigrant manifesto claims the attack was carried out in order "to show invaders that our lands will never be their lands...as long as the white man still lives," according to CBS News. The writer adds "we must ensure the existence of our people, and future for white children."
According to CBS News, the poster claimed to be a supporter of President Trump as a symbol of white identity but not as a leader or policy-maker.
CBS News also reports the manifesto claims guns were used in the attack because the writer knew firearms would have a greater impact on social discourse amid the already-tense gun debate.
Friday's attack targeted two mosques full of worshipers who were attending Friday prayers.
One man was arrested and charged with murder, and police have detained two other armed individuals -- but are not immediately sure how they might have been involved.
Beyond the dead, 40 more people are being treated for gunshot wounds.
In a statement regarding the shooting, President Donald Trump extended his condolences to the people of New Zealand.
"My warmest sympathy and best wishes goes out to the people of New Zealand after the horrible massacre in the Mosques," the commander in chief wrote on Twitter. "49 innocent people have so senselessly died, with so many more seriously injured. The U.S. stands by New Zealand for anything we can do. God bless all!"
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