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At least two people were stabbed to death in the Canadian city of Quebec by a man armed with a sword and dressed in medieval clothing, police say.
Photo: AFP
Five others were injured in the Halloween night attack. A man in his 20s was arrested shortly before 1 a.m. local time Sunday.
Police said an initial investigation found that the suspect was not affiliated with any extremist group.
The attack took place in the historic Old Quebec neighborhood.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter: “My heart breaks for the loved ones of the two killed in the horrible attack last night in Quebec City.
“I also wish a full recovery for the injured. We keep them in our thoughts and we will be there for everyone.”
He also thanked first responders for their critical work.
The identity of the suspect has not been made public.
At a news conference Sunday, Quebec City Police Chief Robert Pigeon said the attack was believed to be premeditated, adding that the suspect, from the Montreal suburbs, arrived in Quebec City with “the intention to do as much damage as possible.”
“Dressed in a medieval costume and armed with a Japanese sword, everything leads us to believe that he chose his victims at random,” added Mr. Pigeon.
The suspect had spoken of carrying out an attack “in a medical context” five years ago, but he was not known to the police and he had no criminal record, police said.
The first reports of the incident near the national assembly of the French-speaking city came shortly before 10:30 p.m. local time on Saturday.
The suspect was arrested near the Espace 400e business park.
The Quebec newspaper Le Soleil reported that he was lying on the ground, barefoot and hypothermic, when he was arrested. He turned himself in to the police without any resistance, he said.
After his arrest, the suspect was taken to hospital to “be evaluated”.
The five injured are also being treated at the hospital, with varying levels of injuries, according to police.
Police have not released details about the identities or ages of the victims.
At a press conference on Sunday, Quebec City police spokesman Étienne Doyon offered “his sincerest condolences to the loved ones and families of the deceased.”
– BBC
At a press conference on Sunday, Quebec City police spokesman Étienne Doyon offered “his sincerest condolences to the loved ones and families of the deceased.”
