6 People Dead in Quebec Mosque Shooting
While they prayed, Alexandre Bissonette, a French-Canadian Donald Trump supporter, walked into the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec with a gun, randomly shooting and killing six people in the process.
It’s a very, very big tragedy for us,” Mohamed Labidi, the vice-president of the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec said. “We have a sadness we cannot express.” His eyes were full of tears as he issued the statement about the fathers, businessmen, and professors who were killed by being shot in the back when praying.
While Donald Trump was silent about the attack, the Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard expressed his sentiments.” All Quebecers are united in the solidarity we express today. Our society is a very open, tolerant and hospitable one, but we are not different from other societies, we have the same devils, xenophobia, racism…we should not be complacent in our society.”
In addition, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke of his support for the Muslim community and he is planning to visit Quebec City later today. He spoke about standing with Muslims and he labeled the shooting a “terrorist attack” and a “despicable act.”
“This was a group of innocents targeted for practising their faith. Make no mistake this was a terrorist attack,” he said in Parliament. ” It was an attack on our most intrinsic and cherished values as Canadians — values of openness, diversity and freedom of religion.”
“Such senseless violence has no place in Canadian society,” he continued. “To the more than one million Canadians who profess the Muslim faith, I want to say directly: we are with you; 36 million hearts are breaking with yours.”
Alexandre Bissonette was later charged with six counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder while using a restricted firearm. This is only the beginning, however, and he could face terrorism charges.
Works Cited:
Fundira, Melissa. "Suspect in Quebec Mosque Attack Facing 6 Counts of 1st-degree Murder." CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 30 Jan. 2017. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.
Postmedia News. "Quebec City Mosque Attack Victims Shot in the Back as They Prayed."National Post. National Post, 30 Jan. 2017. Web. 30 Jan. 2017.
