Auckland, New Zealand – The failure to provide religious support to the LynnMall terror attacker during his time in custody is being scrutinized as a potential factor in his radicalization and subsequent violent actions. Ahamed Samsudeen, who seriously injured five people in a stabbing at a supermarket in West Auckland in September 2021, was shot dead by police after the attack. Coroner Marcus Elliott is overseeing a hearing in Auckland to determine the parameters of a coronial inquiry into Samsudeen’s death.
Samsudeen, originally from Sri Lanka, arrived in New Zealand in 2011 and was granted refugee status as a Tamil Muslim. Authorities began monitoring him in 2015 due to his association with the Islamic State. Despite his repeated requests for religious support while in custody, he was reportedly unable to see an imam for years, which his family believes may have contributed to his radicalization.
In addition to the lack of religious support, Samsudeen’s family is urging the coronial inquiry to investigate the failure of corrections officials to provide him with mental health support despite knowing about his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression. The family is also calling for an examination of the immigration system’s response to Samsudeen’s mental health issues dating back to 2012.
Survivors of the LynnMall knife attack, which occurred in 2021, continue to experience distress and severe trauma, according to statements made during the hearing. Many survivors have shared the ongoing challenges they face in coping with everyday events and triggers related to the attack, highlighting the lasting impact of Samsudeen’s actions on their lives and well-being.
The family’s submission to the court emphasized the importance of early intervention in cases like Samsudeen’s and called for a thorough review of his time in custody and the potential effects of solitary confinement on his behavior. The survivors, meanwhile, are advocating for an inquest into the attack to bring their experiences to light and seek closure through a public airing of the events.
As the hearing continues to unfold, the complexities surrounding Samsudeen’s radicalization, the failures of the corrections and immigration systems to provide adequate support, and the ongoing impact of the attack on survivors are all being carefully examined to shed light on the events leading up to the tragic incident at LynnMall.