QUEBEC CITY — A man wielding a Japanese sword and wearing medieval clothing was arrested Sunday on suspicion of killing two people and injuring five others near the historic Château Frontenac hotel in Quebec City.
Quebec police said the suspect’s motive appears to be personal and not terrorism related. The city is still recovering from a violent 2017 shooting at a mosque that left six dead.
***ATTENTION*** Le SPVQ recherche activement un homme qui aurait fait de multiples victimes à l’aide d’une arme blanche. Selon nos informations préliminaires, le suspect est habillé en médiéval. Les incidents sont survenus dans le secteur de la colline Parlementaire. Si vu : 911.
— Service de police de la Ville de Québec (@SPVQ_police) November 1, 2020
“Last night we were thrust 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,” Quebec Police Chief Robert Pigeon said.
The suspect, who has not been identified, is from the Montreal area. He is believed to suffer from mental illness and had made violent threats in 2014.
“That information would have been revealed in a medical context over five years ago. It was not something that was in a criminal record,” Pigeon said.
The man, who was wearing all black, was seen throwing a sword that appeared to be a katana in the air before he was taken into custody.
Francois Duchesne, 56, and Suzanna Clermont, 61, died in the attack. Five other victims were taken to a hospital.
SUIVI DES ÉVÈNEMENTS | L’identité des victimes a été confirmée par le bureau du coroner. Il s’agit de monsieur François Duchesne, âgé 56 ans, ainsi que de madame Suzanne Clermont, âgée de 61 ans. https://t.co/DkIkb1E5Ja
— Service de police de la Ville de Québec (@SPVQ_police) November 1, 2020
“Some have very significant lacerations but we do not fear for their lives,” Pigeon said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
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