Canada Mosque shooting was "lone wolf" attack

Canada

*NB: an updated version of this story is available here.*

A “lone wolf” attack – sources
Six killed, eight injured
Condolences from around the world

Police are trying to establish a motive after shots were fired at worshippers during Sunday night prayers in a mosque in Quebec.

Six people were killed and eight were seriously wounded.

Critical condition

Five people were critically injured and remain in intensive care.

A spokeswoman for the Quebec City University Hospital said three were in a critical condition.

Another 12 people have been treated for “minor injuries”.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has called it “a terrorist attack on Muslims”.

A “lone wolf” attack

A French-Canadian university student is the sole suspect, according to the authorities.

Sources say his name is Alexandre Bissonnette.

Police initially held two suspects under arrest.

A man of Moroccan descent who had also been arrested was now considered a witness. His nationality status is not immediately known.

Police say they are confident no other suspects were involved in the attack.

“They consider this a ‘lone wolf’ situation,” the source said.

The suspect was expected to appear in court in Quebec on Monday afternoon.

Condolences

Vigils are planned for Montreal and Quebec City.

Messages of condolence have come in from around the world.

Pope Francis offered his condolences. “The pope underlined how important it is in these moments that everyone remains united in prayer, Christians and Muslims,” the Vatican said.

People gather in support of the victims of Quebec mosque shooting that Canada PM has called a 'terrorist attack' https://t.co/n0ePTQ9gXg pic.twitter.com/IGbBk5×0OH

— AFP news agency (@AFP) January 30, 2017