2 suspects caught in Canadian mosque deadly shooting

By Barry Ellsworth

TRENTON, Ont. (AA) - Two men have been arrested following an attack at a Canadian mosque that left six dead and 19 wounded, authorities said Monday.

At a news conference, police would not identify the suspects of the Sunday night shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec in the provincial capital of Quebec City.

But several Quebec media reported the alleged gunmen are Alexandre Bissonnette and Mohamed Khadir.

The victims, who were at the mosque for prayers, range in age from 39 - 60, Global News Television reported.

Five people remain hospitalized and three are in critical condition, Global reported.

Bissonnette reportedly turned himself into police about an hour after the 8 p.m. (O100GMT) attack occurred. Khadir was arrested near the mosque.

Police, who gave no motive for the shootings, are not calling it a terrorist attack.

But Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said the crime should be treated as an act of terrorism.

“It’s a murderous act directed at a specific community,” he said at a news conference. “I think the majority of citizens, not just in Quebec but elsewhere, would describe it that way.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, “Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have not place in our communities, cities and country”. Trudeau plans travel Monday to Quebec City to attend a vigil.

One source told Radio-Canada, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s French-language service, police are investigating whether the suspects attended Laval University in Quebec City.

Police said patrols have been beefed up at the university and at mosques in Quebec.

Turkey condemned the attack in statement that said “innocent people who worship at a holy place” were targeted.

It stressed that Ankara would continue to stand in solidarity with its ally "in the face of this heinous attack targeting the peace in Canada where many people from different races and religions live in harmony.

"We believe that the Government of Canada will carry out the investigation regarding the nature of this attack, which took place at a time when Islamophobic rhetoric and actions are on the rapid rise, with the necessary seriousness and sensitivity," the statement added.