Authorities had 'concerns' with LynnMall terrorist 5 years before attack
A coronial inquest into the 2021 LynnMall terrorist attack in New Zealand has revealed that authorities had concerns about the attacker, Ahamed Samsudeen, as early as 2016. Police had previously monitored his social media activity and issued warnings after he expressed support for extremist groups.
Why it matters
The inquest highlights potential gaps in national security monitoring and the challenges authorities face in assessing the risk posed by radicalized individuals.
<p>The Coroners Court has heard details about the LynnMall terrorist's first interaction with New Zealand authorities.</p> <p><b>By Finn Blackwell </b><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/crime-and-justice/750935/authorities-had-concerns-with-lynnmall-terrorist-five-years-before-attack" target="_blank"><b>of RNZ</b></a></p> <p>Ahamed Samsudeen stabbed six people in a West Auckland supermarket in 2021, before being shot dead by police.</p> <p>Phases two and three of a <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/13/inquest-how-was-lynnmall-attacker-ahamed-samsudeen-radicalised/" target="_blank">coronial inquest</a> into his death are underway in Auckland, looking at Samsudeen's <a href="https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/07/14/lynnmall-attacker-believed-muslims-were-being-harmed-and-cornered/" target="_blank">path to violent extremism</a> as well as the time leading up to the attack, and his attitudes towards women.</p> <p>The court heard on Monday from Detective Superintendent Sean Hansen, who was part of the police's National Security Group at the time.
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