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Police now say 1 suspect in Canada mosque shooting

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AP Quebec City
Last Updated : Jan 31 2017 | 12:07 AM IST
A shooting at a Quebec City mosque during evening prayers left six people dead in an attack that Canada's prime minister called an act of terrorism. Police initially arrested two men but later said just one remains a suspect.
More than 50 people were at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre when the shooting erupted Sunday night. In addition to the six who died, five were in critical condition and 12 others suffered minor injuries, University of Quebec Hospital Centre spokeswoman Genevieve Dupuis said today. The dead ranged in age from 35 to 65.
Quebec City court clerk Isabelle Ferland identified Alexandre Bissonnette and Mohamed el Khadir as the suspects. Police later said one of them was just a witness, though they did not say which.
One was arrested at the scene and another nearby, in his car on a bridge near d'Orleans where he called 911 to say he wanted to cooperate with police. Police said they did not believe there were other suspects but were investigating. Police didn't give a possible motive for the attack.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard both characterized the attack as a terrorist act, which came amid heightened tensions worldwide over President Donald Trump's travel ban on several Muslim countries. Neither leader specified who carried out the attack or what the motive might be.
Trump called Trudeau to express condolences to the Canadian people and to offer any assistance that might be needed, Trudeau's office said.
"We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a center of worship and refuge," Trudeau said in an earlier statement.

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"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," he said.
Trudeau will make a statement in Parliament before travelling to Quebec City, his office said.
Canada is generally very welcoming toward immigrants and all religions, but the French-speaking province of Quebec has had a long-simmering debate about race and religious accommodation. The previous separatist government of the province called for a ban on ostentatious religious symbols such as the hijab in public institutions.
Couillard said he would "not go there" when asked if he blamed rhetoric in in the U.S.

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First Published: Jan 31 2017 | 12:07 AM IST

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