Six killed in Quebec mosque shooting, PM condemns 'terrorist attack on Muslims'

Six people have been killed and another eight wounded in a shooting at a mosque in Quebec, in what the Canadian Prime Minister called 'a cowardly terrorist attack'

30 January 2017, 8:10am

1 min read

Swat team police officer walk aournd a mosque after a shooting in Quebec City

Six people were killed and eight wounded when gunmen opened fire at a Quebec mosque during Sunday night prayers, in what Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called a "terrorist attack on Muslims".

Police confirmed the death toll and are treating the incident as a terror attack.

They said two suspects had been arrested, but gave no more details into what prompted the "terrorist attack", saying the investigation had just begun.

Initially, the mosque president said five people were killed in the shooting, and a witness said up to three gunmen had fired on about 40 people inside the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre.

"Six people are confirmed dead - they range in age from 35 to about 70," Quebec provincial police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe told reporters, adding eight people were wounded and 39 were unharmed.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the attack "cowardly, before adding in a statement: "We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a centre of worship and refuge. 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."

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

Please read my statement on tonight’s terrorist attack in Quebec City: https://t.co/58NRcOAUmB
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) January 30, 2017

The shooting came on the weekend that Trudeau said Canada would welcome refugees, after US President Donald Trump suspended the US refugee programme and temporarily barred citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States on national security grounds.

A Canadian federal Liberal legislator, Greg Fergus, tweeted: "This is an act of terrorism - the result of years of sermonizing Muslims. Words matter and hateful speeches have consequences!"

This is an act of terrorism -- the result of years of demonizing Muslims. Words matter and hateful speeches have consequences!
— Greg Fergus (@GregFergus) January 30, 2017