Dover native's 2-year-old son and husband injured in New Zealand terror attack

Dover native Alta Sacra, who just moved to New Zealand with her family, was in the kitchen cooking dinner when she found out her husband and 2-year-old son had been shot in the attack at the Linwood Islamic Center in Christchurch Friday. 

"Zulfirman Syah, my husband, shielded our son during the attack at Linwood Islamic Centre, which caused him to receive most of the bullets and much more complex injuries than our son," she posted on Facebook Saturday.

"Averroes, our son, sustained minor injuries and had surgery this morning to extract some shrapnel while checking for internal injuries. He is recovering nicely and has been cheerful while keeping the staff on the children's ward entertained with his talkative and energetic nature." 

Bob Sacra, a local businessman and Realtor from Dover, said his daughter Alta and son-in-law "Jul" moved to New Zealand from Indonesia two months ago because they wanted to live somewhere peaceful. 

On Friday, Syah, an artist, had taken Averroes to the mosque to pray. There, they were caught in the terrorist attack that killed at least 50 people and wounded 50 others, Bob Sacra said. 

"By the grace of God, they survived," he said Monday. “We’re thankful they're alive and we’re sorry for those who are not." 

Alta grew up in Dover, he said, and went to Hartly Elementary School and Central Middle School before attending a private high school.

After high school, she went to Delaware Technical and Community College and worked in Dover as an account specialist for MBNA Bank, according to her LinkedIn page. 

Her family says she is also an artist and teaches English. 

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Her husband is Indonesian. Republic of Indonesia spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir told the Associated Press Saturday that Syah and his son were being treated at the same hospital. 

The family is asking people to respect their privacy and not contact them on Facebook as they recover from the event. 

But Alta has shared a few public updates. 

She said Syah, who was shot multiple times, is currently stable

"While the road to recovery will be long, his condition has only improved since he arrived at the hospital yesterday," she posted Saturday. "This afternoon he had a visit from the Indonesian ambassador, which lifted his spirits." 

Averroes, their son, is doing well and may be discharged soon, she said. He was shot twice: in the leg and backside. 

"It is hard to keep this energetic two-year-old down," Alta said. 

A friend from the U.S. has started a GoFundMe campaign for the family and says Syah will likely need more surgery. So far, it has raised more than $24,000. 

People can donate online at goo.gl/L32tpQ. 

"I am asking for your support for this family who is now reeling from this insidious attack," the online fundraising page says. "Alta will now have to cease much of her work while she cares for her husband and son. Since they are new to the area, they have no family and friends near them for emotional or financial support."

Bob Sacra said at 34, Alta is his and his wife Deborah's youngest child. One of their older daughters is on her way to New Zealand to help out.  

“I don’t blame anybody but the guy that did it," Bob Sacra said, saddened by the incident and its impact on so many families. 

Isaac Sacra, Alta's brother and owner of a local family business, said: "Thankfully, they're still alive." 

“I’m a Christian," he said. "And for me, it really undermines Christianity when you have someone who does something like this.

“We're praying for my sister and her husband and their child." 

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Contact Jessica Bies at (302) 324-2881 or jbies@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @jessicajbies.