Breaking News: 6 Dead in Terrorist Attack on Quebec Mosque

Two shooters dressed in black have been taken into custody after they stormed the Québec Islamic Cultural Center late Sunday evening, around 8 PM, and opened fire on dozens of people gathered for evening prayer.

source

Initial reports were that 5 people were killed, but that has risen to 6 people now, ranging from 35 to 7 years old. Eight others were also injured with 39 witnesses unharmed.

This Islamic Center was previously a target of harassment this past June 2016, when a pig's head was left on the doorstep.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard Said this is a horrible act of terrorism against a specific community but doesn't know what the motives are at this time and won't be speculating. Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume was shaken by this act in his community, saying no one should pay their life for their race or color. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau described the incident as a "terrorist attack on Muslims."

French President Francois Hollande referred to this as an "odious attack" and greatly condemned it, offering support to Canadian leaders in this time of distress which he is also familiar with, given France's string of Islamic extremist attacks in recent years.

Initially, one person was arrested at the scene of the killings, while another was arrested in nearby d'Orleans quarter of Quebec City after they called the police to arrange for their surrender.

Police are not yet ready to disclose more information, such as what weapons were used, or to confirm that the dead were all males which has previously been reported.

One witness who wishes to remain anonymous said two masked individuals entered the mosque who yelled 'Allahu akbar!' In a Québecois accent as they fired on people at the evening prayer. He added: "People who were praying lost their lives. A bullet passed right over my head."

The Québec Premier made a plea to all Muslims:

"We are with you, you are at home, you are welcome at home, we are all Quebecers. We must continue to build a society together that is open, welcoming and peaceful. We will do it because we have the energy to do it and the will to do it."

Quebec City Mayor said that this was almost like a dream:

"Quebec City, this magnificent city, is in mourning. I have often said in recent weeks that, despite the peace we have here, we are not immune (to attacks). Well, this has just proven that."

Carol-Ann Andrews, a resident in the neighborhood where the attack took place immediately thought of what was happening in the United States with respect to the recent Executive Order signed by President Trump that banned Syrian and other refugees from entering the United States.

"Unfortunately there are people in the world whose minds are not totally OK so it could have given them an idea to get rid of other people. It's pathetic."

The media asked the usual question when bad things happen "Do you feel safe?", to which Carol replied "We're not safe anywhere any more."

The Royal Canadian mounted police has joined the Québec provincial police in an ongoing investigation. They are currently raiding two areas of Quebec City, presumed tobe the location of the suspects homes.

*UPDATE* There is only one suspect in custody, unsure if there were two shooters at all at this point. The other person "arrested" was only a witness. There is a need for more information, especially from witnesses to describe what happened and know if there was one or two.

---

This attack has taken place in the province in live in, Quebec, Canada. I'm located in Montreal, about 2 hours drive away from Quebec City. Instead of waking up to radio personalities interrupting music at 5:30am and talking about nothing, they were talking about a shooting in Quebec City.

---

References:

• Latest updates: Germany condemns Quebec mosque attack
• 6 dead, 8 injured in Quebec City mosque attack
• 6 dead, 2 arrested after shooting at Quebec City mosque

---

If you appreciate and value the content, please consider:

Upvoting ,    Sharing or   Reblogging below.

me for more content to come!

---

Please also consider supporting me as a Steem Witness by voting for me at the bottom of the Witness page; or just click on the upvote button if I am in the top 50:

---

@krnel
2017-01-30, 6:51am