17th century Romanian ruler’s name written on New Zealand attacker’s rifle magazine

The name Serban Cantacuzino, who was the ruler of Tara Romaneasca between 1678 and 1688, was found written on a rifle magazine belonging to a terrorist attacker at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, along with several other names including historical figures and other mass shooters, according to the Huffington Post.

The attack left 49 dead and dozens more injured and was livestreamed on Facebook. Three suspects have been detained. During a news conference, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison characterized one of the alleged shooters, an Australian citizen, as an “extremist, right-wing, violent terrorist.” Four suspects were taken into custody Friday in connection with the shooting. The alleged gunman was later charged with murder. He appears to have posted a 74-page manifesto online in which he declared his hatred for Muslim immigrants in Europe and admiration for US right-wing extremist movements.

Serban Cantacuzino, the Romanian ruler whose name was among those written on the attacker’s rifle magazine, took part in the siege on Vienna by the Ottomans in 1683, supporting the Turks. However, the name of Ernst Rudiger von Starhemberg, the general who defended Vienna in the same battle, was also written down. The attacker most likely believed that Cantacuzino was on the side of the Christians as well, since that’s the common theme among the listed names.

Other names that appeared on the magazine were Edward Codrington and Dmitri Seniavin, admirals who defeated the Turks in 1827 in the Battle of Navarino, Marc Antonio Bragadin, a Venetian commander who died defending Cyprus from the Ottoman Empire, and other historical figures involved in similar events, suggesting that he was fascinated with figures who fought against Muslims.