Six people, ages 35 to 70, died and eight were injured on Sunday in a shooting at a Quebec City mosque. According to Quebec provincial police, 39 others survived. Two are in custody following the shooting.
[Update: Only one is a suspect, the second was a worshiper in the mosque who had called the police.]
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called it a “terrorist attack.” The shooting came on a weekend when Trudeau said Canada would welcome the refugees that President Donald Trump had banned from entering the US.
One of the suspects was arrested near the mosque, the other east of Quebec City’s downtown, near Ile-d’Orleans.
A provincial police spokeswoman said that “for the moment, nothing leads us to believe there are other suspects linked to the event, but you’ll understand we’re not taking any chances and we’re making the necessary verification to make sure there aren’t any.”
Police did not reveal which weapon were used in the attack.
One witness told Radio Canada that the shooters yelled ‘Allahu akbar!’ as they opened fire.
[Update: The witness report was incorrect. The suspect the police have in custody is described as a white Nationalist.]
PM Trudeau issued a statement saying, “We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge. On behalf of all Canadians, Sophie and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of all those who have died, and we wish a speedy recovery to those who have been injured.”
The Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec issued a statement on Facebook early Monday, saying, “All our thoughts are with the children who have to be told their father has died,” said the. May Allah give them patience and strength.”
The mosque president, Mohamed Yangui, told the media that “the neighborhood is very peaceful,” and his congregation has “a good relationship with the government, the mayor of Quebec. We have no problem whatsoever.”
The Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec was attacked in June 2016 during the month of Ramadan, when a pig’s head was left on the doorstep with a note saying, “bon appetit.”