The gunman who fatally shot six people and injured eight others at a Quebec City mosque on Sunday night has been identified by police as Alexandre Bissonnette, a French-Canadian.
The 27-year-old was charged on Monday with six counts of premeditated first-degree murder. Initially, police believed there was more than one person involved in the shooting at the Quebec City Islamic Cultural Center.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police issued a statement on Twitter that said “following the investigation, the individual [who had been taken into custody] is now considered as a witness.” The attack, which targeted 50 people in attendance for prayer services on Sunday evening, is believed to be a lone wolf attack.
Following the investigation, the second individual is now considered as a witness #Québec #Attack https://t.co/edDLlVcTKG
— Quebec RCMP (@rcmpqc) January 30, 2017
Police will release the names of the six victims later Monday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau labeled the mass shooting “a terrorist attack,” earlier on Monday. He also addressed Muslim Canadians, saying: “Know that we value you. You enrich our shared country in immeasurable ways. It is your home. Last night’s horrible crime against the Muslim community was an act of terror committed against Canada and against all Canadians.”
