Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Canada shooting ‘a terrorist attack’
POLICE say six people have been killed and eight wounded in a shooting at a Quebec City mosque that Canada’s prime minister described as a terrorist act.
The shooting at the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre in the provincial capital happened during evening prayers yesterday. Two arrests have been made. Quebec Provincial Police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe said some of the wounded were gravely injured and the age range of the dead was about 35 to 70.
She said one person was arrested at the scene and the other nearby in d’Orleans.
Thirty-nine people were in the mosque at the time of the attack, she added.
Prime minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec premier Philippe Couillard characterised the shooting as a terrorist act, which came amid heightened tensions worldwide over US president Donald Trump’s travel ban on some Muslim countries.
Mosque president Mohamed Yangui said the shooting happened in the men’s section of the mosque and he feared some victims were children.
He said he was not at the centre when the attack occurred, but obtained some details from people at the scene.
“We are sad for the families,” he said.
In a statement, Mr Trudeau said: “We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge.
“It is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence. Diversity is our strength and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear.
“Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities and country.
“Canadian law enforcement agencies will protect the rights of all Canadians and will make every effort to apprehend the perpetrators of this act and all acts of intolerance.”
Mr Trudeau said on Twitter that he spoke to Mr Couillard and was being briefed by officials.
The prime minister said the government had offered “any and all assistance needed”.
Mr Trudeau had earlier reacted to Mr Trump’s visa ban for people from certain Muslim-majority countries by tweeting: “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith.”