Last night, there was a shooting incident at a mosque in Quebec City. Six people were killed, while eight have been injured. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned the incident as a “terrorist attack,” and “senseless violence.”
Eyewitness accounts
According to witnesses, the attack was perpetrated by three shooters at the Islamic centre of Quebec City (its mosque) while Muslims were saying their Sunday evening prayers. The first police call was placed at around 8pm (1am in our GMT time zone).
A police spokesman has released a statement saying that two arrests were made by Quebec police following the incident.
Local news outlet Le Soleil reports that police are looking for a third suspect who is still out there. However, contrary to this news report and eyewitness accounts, spokeswoman Christine Coulombe has said, “Nothing right now makes us believe that there would be other suspects related to this event.” Le Soleil also reported (although how reliable their reports are remains to be seen, since the police’s official statement contradicts their report) that one of the suspects was armed with an AK-47 and another was 27 years old.
Canadian PM has spoken out
Justin Trudeau, the Canadian Prime Minister, has spoken out in rage upon discovering that the incident in Quebec had happened. He said that collectively, his team and his government “condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge.” He said that despite the fact “authorities are still investigating and details continue to be confirmed,” he described the incident in itself as “heart-wrenching.” He said, of Canada and its people, “Diversity is our strength,” and said that tolerance of all religions and walks of life is “a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear.”
According to police, the victims of the Quebec mosque attack were aged 35-70.
The two-storey mosque, equipped with the latest CCTV technology, is thought to have contained over 50 people at the time of the incident. Mohamed Yangui, president of the mosque, who was elsewhere at the time of the shooting, said he received terrified calls from the Muslims who were doing their evening prayers at the mosque.
He called the attack “barbaric.”
Police secured the mosque after the shooting
Following the attack, Quebec police secured the building and ensured they had evacuated everyone inside. The area was cordoned off around the mosque. The premier of Quebec (Philippe Couillard) confirmed that the attack was a “terrorist act,” and said that the city and all of Canada stands behind its Muslim population.
He called the incident “barbaric violence.” Rallies will be held in places across Quebec City to show solidarity for the victims of the attack.
Quebec Mayor Regis Labeaume looked petrified at a press conference following the incident and was quoted as saying, “I want to express my revolt to this villainous Crime.” Public safety minister for Canada, Ralph Goodale, was “deeply saddened” by the attacks. Canadian politician Manon Masse said that “one or two people have assumed the right to kill our fellow Muslim Quebec citizens,” and that the moment that “intolerance goes from debate to murder, solidarity is essential.”
