Contrary to initial claims, Quebec shooter was 'lone wolf'

QUEBEC CITY, Canada (Kurdistan 24) – Canadian police originally arrested two suspects in the aftermath of the Quebec mosque shooting but released one shortly after.

Moroccan-Canadian Mohamed Khadir was released shortly after the Sunday night arrest.

The gunman was revealed to be Alexandre Bissonnette, according to the verified Twitter account of the Quebec Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

Bissonnette reportedly made a brief court appearance late Monday but did not enter a plea to six counts of murder and five counts of attempted murder.

The gunman studied social sciences at Université Laval, not far from the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec, and was known for his “misogynistic” and “Islamophobic” views.

He is reported to be a fan of US President Donald Trump whose controversial executive order banning immigrants from Muslim-majority countries has created much chaos two weeks into his presidency.

The shooting at the mosque in Quebec on Sunday evening killed at least six and injured 19 others, five of whom are in critical condition.

The attack occurred while the Muslims were engaged in their evening prayers at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Québec (Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec).

The slain victims were identified as Mamadou Tanou Barry, 42; Abdelkrim Hassane, 41; Khaled Belkacemi, 60; Aboubaker Thabti, 44; Azzeddine Soufiane, 57; and Ibrahima Barry, 39.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the event a “terrorist attack on Muslims.”

“Muslim-Canadians are an important part of our national fabric, and these senseless acts have no place in our communities, cities, and country,” Trudeau said in a statement.

Quebec City Mayor Régis Labeaume expressed solidarity with the victims.

“To the Muslim community, our neighbors, our co-citizens, who count on our support and solidarity, I want to say, ‘We love you,’” said Labeaume.

Last year, a pig’s head was left on the front steps of the Quebec City mosque during the month of Ramadan when Muslims fast.

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany