In the chaos of the New Zealand mosque attacks, one hero's action saved lives

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand - Moments after dozens of people were shot dead at the Al Noor Mosque in New Zealand's third-largest city, prayers were underway at another mosque to the east, just three miles away.

Inside the Linwood Mosque, 30-year-old Faisal Sayed heard a banging sound. He and another worshiper broke prayer and rushed to look out a window.

Two congregants who had been running late to the service had been shot outside, he said. A gunman dressed in military-style clothing was headed inside, firing at worshipers.

One person was shot dead, as was a woman who had given up her spot to another congregant just before services began. A third person was shot in the shoulder. A total of seven would be slain at the Linwood Mosque.

Amid the chaos, one of the congregants confronted the attacker and grabbed his weapon, Sayed said in an interview.

"He held the rifle," Sayed said of the man who fought back. The gunman eventually fled.

"If this guy was not there," Sayed said, "I don't think I would be talking to you right now." He did not identify