Insta
Swarajya Staff
Jan 30, 2017, 03:06 PM | Updated 03:06 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Shooting at a mosque in Quebec City, Canada on Sunday left at least six people dead and injured several others. The shooting, described by the police as a coordinated attack, was carried out during evening prayers. The place of the incident was identified as the Quebec Islamic Cultural Center on Sainte-Foy Street.
According to local newspaper Le Soleil, the police has arrested two suspects in the case. Quebec Provincial Police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe also confirmed the arrest of two suspects, saying that there are no proofs to believe that a third shooter was present. One of the arrested suspects was carrying an AK-47 assault rifle, the newspaper reported.
The investigating agencies in the country are treating the shooting as a terror attack. "The building is secure and the occupants evacuated. The investigation continues," Quebec City Police tweeted.
#BREAKING Quebec police are also deploying anti terrorism unit as part of ongoing investigation of Quebec City mosque shooting.
— Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) January 30, 2017
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also called the shooting a terrorist attack against the Muslim community of Canada. "We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge," Trudeau said in a statement.
Tonight, Canadians grieve for those killed in a cowardly attack on a mosque in Quebec City. My thoughts are with victims & their families.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 30, 2017
A witness told CBC's French-language service Radio-Canada that one of the shooters raised Islamic slogans and shouted “Allahu akbar” as he shot at the people in the mosque.The person added that the attackers “seemed to have a very good Québec accent.”
“One started shooting. As soon as he opened fire he shouted, ‘Allahu akbar!’ (God is great!) People who prayed lost their lives. As for myself, the bullet passed over my head,” a witness, who refused to be identified, said.
Mosque attack witness on Radio Canada: Shooters with apparent Quebecois accent yelled, 'Allahu akbar!' https://t.co/55CsDdFHC1 pic.twitter.com/IpQGQCFmPL
— Steve Herman (@W7VOA) January 30, 2017