Quebec police report fatalities in mosque shooting

QUEBEC CITY -- The president of a Quebec City mosque says five people died in a shooting in his mosque in the provincial capital. 

Quebec City Islamic Cultural Centre President Mohamed Yangui confirmed the number of dead late Sunday in a telephone call. Authorities, however, did not specify the number of fatalities. 

Yangui told CBS News he was not present, but that he received calls from members who were there and spoke with the morgue. He said he doesn’t know how many people were injured.

Yangui said he has no idea who would have carried out the shooting. He said the mosque had not received any threats.

Two suspects were arrested, Quebec City police spokesman Constable Pierre Poirier said. Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard termed the act “barbaric violence” and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families. 

“Tonight, Canadians grieve for those killed in a cowardly attack on a mosque in Quebec City,” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted. “My thoughts are with victims & their families.”

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said on Twitter Sunday that he is deeply saddened by the loss of life. His office says no motive has been confirmed. 

In an emailed statement after the shooting, the New York City Police Department said it has “directed special attention be given to all mosque/house-of-worship locations citywide.”

“Critical Response Command (CRC) personnel have been assigned to extended tour coverage at certain mosque locations,” the NYPD said.

“The NYPD is monitoring the situation in Quebec,” it added.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo both tweeted about the shooting.

“Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque,” De Blasio said.

“My heart breaks for the people of Quebec,” said Cuomo.

In the summer of 2016 a pig’s head was left on the doorstep of the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre.

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• Shooting