Suspect in Quebec mosque shooting charged with 6 counts of murder

Quebec police have charged Alexandre Bissonette with six counts of 1st-degree murder in connection to a shooting rampage at a mosque that left six dead and 19 injured.

Bissonnette, 27, is also facing an additional five counts of attempted murder, according to documents filed at the Quebec City courthouse.

After initially saying they had two people in custody in connection with the shooting rampage, Quebec police now say there is only one suspect. The second man is now considered a witness.

Bissonnette appeared in Quebec City court on Monday around 6 p.m. ET. His next court appearance is set for Feb. 21.

Laval University confirmed Monday afternoon that Bissonnette was a student in the social sciences faculty. In a statement, the university said effective immediately, he is barred from all activities at the school until all judicial proceedings are over.

The shooting happened shortly before 8 p.m. ET Sunday, less than three kilometres away from Laval’s campus, during evening prayers at the Centre Culturel Islamique de Quebec.

Six men were killed.

Five people remain in hospital with injuries. Two will need more surgery, while the other three are stable and may be discharged soon. Another 13 people with minor injuries have been released, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Was this a terrorist attack?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard both described the shooting as a terrorist attack, but authorities were reluctant to label it as such.

The attack came as protests over US President Donald Trump’s travel ban on several Muslim countries gripped the US.

Various Sources

~Wakenya Canada