The Canadian Press
Giuseppe Valiante
QUEBEC–One of two suspected gunmen involved in a mass shooting that left six people dead and another 19 wounded at a Quebec City mosque last night called 9-1-1 indicating he wanted to work with authorities, police said today.
Insp. Denis Turcotte said the man waited for officers to arrest him not long after the shooting at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec in Quebec City’s Ste-Foy neighbourhood.
“He was armed and spoke to us about his acts,” noted Turcotte. “He seemed to want to co-operate. . . .
“The suspect said he was waiting for the police to arrive.”
The shooting took place just before 8 p.m. yesterday as many had gathered at the mosque for evening prayers.
Witnesses described chaos as mosque attendees scrambled to find friends and loved ones while police responding to the scene called for back-up.
The six people killed in the attack were aged 35-60.
Their identities have not been released.
Nineteen others–all male–were injured in the attack.
Five remain in hospital in critical condition while 14 have been treated and released.
Police said they arrested one suspect at the mosque while the other, who had called 9-1-1, was arrested just east of Quebec City’s downtown core.
RCMP did not provide any details on the two suspects but media reports identified them as Alexandre Bissonnette and Mohamed El Khadir.
The Globe and Mail said the two men were to be arraigned this afternoon.
Police said they were not previously known to authorities.
“The inquiry is ongoing to determine the motives,” said RCMP Supt. Martin Plante.
“It is too early to determine what charges will be laid,” he added.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard both have called the shooting a “terrorist attack.”
The mosque targeted in the attack issued a statement of thanks on its Facebook page late yesterday for the many messages of compassion being sent its way.
It has been the subject of threats in the past. Last summer, a gift-wrapped pig’s head was placed at the entrance to the building.
Vigils are expected to be held in Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax today.
Meanwhile, a number of Canadian Muslim groups have expressed shock and anger at the attack.
“Quebec Muslims are frightened right now,” said Haroun Bouazzi, president of AMAL-Quebec, a Muslim human-rights group based on Montreal.
“We are urgently waiting for answers as to how and why such a tragedy could occur.”
The National Council of Canadian Muslims called on law enforcement agencies around the country to increase security around mosques and Islamic centres.
“We are horrified by this despicable act of violence,” the council’s executive director, Ihsaan Gardee, said in a statement.
“This act of wanton murder must be punished to the fullest extent of the law.”
Gardee added the council was “heartened” by the support expressed for the Muslim community by other Canadians.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama also spoke out against the attack.
“We are deeply saddened by the attack that took place in a mosque in Quebec City and we pray for the rapid recovery of the wounded,” said national president Lal Khan Malik.
“We are taking steps to ensure that all members of the community feel secure and safe.”
The mosque shooting also has drawn international outrage.
French President Francois Hollande has condemned what he called an “odious attack” while a spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel called the shooting “despicable.”
Pope Francis offered his condolences and called for mutual respect among people of different faiths.
In a telegram, he said he is praying for those killed and injured, as well as those who responded to the bloodshed.
