Specialist tactical police from around the world happened to be in Christchurch on March 15 for a sniper course which they abandoned to become some of the first on scene to help at Linwood Mosque.
Some had specialist first aid training and were able to treat the injured, but it also caused confusion for local police.
After news of an active shooter broke, they rushed to Linwood Mosque - asking lower-ranked police for their firearms and leaving the very first officer who arrived at the scene feeling vulnerable.
"I didn't know who he was," one officer said of the tactical police. "I gave him my rifle... I was very unhappy about this as I was left with no way to defend myself or the public."
This specialist team went in and gave crucial first aid. Police decided to evacuate the mosque and asked two women to leave their badly injured husbands.
Ambulances eventually arrived at Linwood Mosque 26 minutes after the terrorist left.
Watch the full video for more.
