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Shock, Disgust and Disbelief in Hometown of Suspect in New Zealand Shootings

Author: Isabella Kwai / Source: New York Times

Regi Varghese/Getty Images

GRAFTON, Australia — The quiet town in eastern Australia used to be little known except for its annual Jacaranda Festival, when visitors flocked to see streets emblazoned with the blossoms of indigo-flowered trees.

But on Friday, international news media descended, shattering the peace and turning the world’s eyes on Grafton, New South Wales, where Brenton Tarrant, 28, who has been accused of massacring 49 people at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand, grew up.

As the suspect was charged with murder in a Christchurch courtroom on Saturday, residents in his hometown expressed shock, disgust and disbelief that one of their own could have been responsible for such a crime.

“The town has gone into silence,” said Ola Williamson, the owner of a restaurant in Grafton. People had lined up to buy newspapers that morning looking at one another with shock. “I hope we don’t get tarred with the same brush,” he added.

Some residents said they felt sorrow and horror for Christchurch’s Muslim community, along with confusion. “I don’t understand why someone from Grafton would be so racially motivated to do such a thing,” said Willow Walker, a resident. “That’s what shocks me the most.”

As details about Mr. Tarrant’s life began to emerge, residents of the town, unused to such intense attention from reporters walking their streets, also expressed anger and worry about the reputation of Grafton.

“All the reporters are stating that this is a bad town, we breed terrorists,” said Trudy Schultz, 52, a resident. “We don’t agree with that at all.”

Although officially a city, Grafton — which has population of 18,000 and lies on the country’s east coast, 380 miles north of Sydney and about three hours from the Gold Coast — is known as a country town on the Clarence River, surrounded by farmland.

Residents described it as a quiet place filled with families and pensioners that has struggled economically over the past few years. Infrastructure projects like a new bridge and a new jail have encouraged tradesmen to settle there.

It is the kind of place, they say, where residents leave their houses unlocked and everyone knows someone.

But on Saturday, streets in the town center were nearly deserted, broken up by occasional groups of biking teenagers and families walking around a park.

Mr. Tarrant grew up…

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