[ad_1]
A man dressed in medieval clothing and armed with a Japanese sword was arrested on suspicion of killing two people and injuring five others on Halloween near the historic Château Frontenac hotel in the Canadian city of Quebec.
Quebec police said their initial information indicates that the suspect’s motive was personal and not terrorism.
Jacques Boissinot / AP
“I have no words to describe such a tragedy. I offer my condolences to the families of the victims, ”tweeted Quebec Prime Minister Francois Legault.
“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.
READ MORE:
* Court documents: a woman wrote ‘resign’ in a castor note to Trump
* Terrorist attack in Quebec: suspect in shooting in mosque rented apartment nearby
“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.
Jacques Boissinot / AP
Police cars block the front of the National Assembly on Sunday (local time) after the incident.
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 (local time).
Police said Francois Duchesne, 56, and Suzanne Clermont, 61, were killed.
The five injured victims were taken to a hospital. “Some have very bad lacerations, but we are not afraid for their lives,” Pigeon said.
Jacques Boissinot / AP
Initial information indicated that the suspect’s motive was personal and not terrorism, Quebec police said.
Steve Jolicoeur, a freelance photographer, said the dead man’s throat was 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 due to appear in court by video later Sunday.
The police have asked potential witnesses to contact them.
Jacques Boissinot / AP
Police officers monitor the scene of the multiple stabbings in the historic quarter of Quebec City.
“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.
