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QUEBEC CITY (AP) – A man dressed in medieval clothing and armed with a Japanese sword was arrested Sunday on suspicion of killing two people and wounding five others on Halloween near the historic Château Frontenac hotel in Quebec City.
Quebec police said their initial information indicates that the suspect’s motive was personal and not terrorism.
“Last night we were pushed into a night of horror when a 24-year-old man who does not live in Quebec City came here with the clear intention of taking as many victims as possible,” said Quebec Police Chief Robert Pigeon.
Pigeon said the suspect, who was from the Montreal area, made a threat of violence in 2014.
“That information would have been revealed in a medical context more than five years ago. It wasn’t something that was on the criminal record, ”Pigeon said.
Quebec City Mayor Regis Labeaume said Canada needs to have a debate on how to deal with mental illness.
Labeaume said the attack has rocked the city, which is still reeling from a shooting at a local mosque in 2017 that killed six.
Police had previously warned residents to stay indoors while they searched for the disguised man with a knife. They later described the weapon as a katana.
Police were first notified of the stabbings near the National Assembly shortly before 10:30 p.m. Saturday.
The five injured victims were taken to a hospital. “Some have very bad lacerations, but we are not afraid for their lives,” Pigeon said.
Pigeon did not release the names of any of those killed or injured in the attack, saying only that they were Quebec residents.
Steve Jolicoeur, a freelance photographer, said one of the deceased had his throat slit.
Jolicoeur said another person cut himself on the shoulder while another cut his head and hand.
He also witnessed the arrest of the suspect, who threw his sword into the air.
“He seemed confused,” he said. “He was dressed in black, like a ninja.”
The police were searching his car and his residence. He was to make a video court appearance later Sunday.
The police have asked potential witnesses to contact them.
“Quebec is waking up after a night of horror. Words fail me to describe such a tragedy. I offer my condolences to the families of the victims, ”tweeted Quebec Prime Minister Francois Legault.
Carlos Godoy, who lives in the area, said police K-9 units had searched his backyard while looking for the suspect.
“It is a full moon, it is October 31st. It’s Halloween and it’s a closed weekend. No one should be on the streets, ”Godoy said. “And I’m in an extremely quiet neighborhood because nowadays there are no tourists.”
The area around the Chateau Frontenac, the imposing monument of the old walled city, is usually crowded with tourists in normal times.
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Associated Press writer Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.
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