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| Alexandre Bissonnette (from his Facebook page) |
This morning I reported that the two suspects in custody in the Quebec City mosque attack had been identified as being of "Arab origin" and "Quebec origin." Soon, reports of "Arab origin" became "Moroccan" or "Moroccan-Canadian" And it was also claimed that the two suspects were students at Laval University - a school with a large Muslim population. A few hours ago two names were leaked - Alexandre Bissonnette and Mohamed Khadir - seemingly confirming the earlier reports.
However, the police just released Khadir, designating him as a mere witness. Bissonnette is now the sole suspect in custody. Apparently, he turned himself in after the attack, fourteen miles from the mosque.
There is no evidence that Bissonnette is Muslim.
However, the police just released Khadir, designating him as a mere witness. Bissonnette is now the sole suspect in custody. Apparently, he turned himself in after the attack, fourteen miles from the mosque.
There is no evidence that Bissonnette is Muslim.
Indeed, screenshots have now been posted of his Facebook page, showing that he is a supporter of various "right-wing" causes and politicians - including Donald Trump. And there are reports that he had an active social media presence opposing refugees and feminism.
Update: February 3: There are other reports that he "liked" some left-wing politicians and causes and had "pro-environment" views.
All reports (from an unknown number of original sources) suggested that there were two or three gunmen. But police are now going on the theory that Bissonnette was the lone shooter.
All reports (from an unknown number of original sources) suggested that there were two or three gunmen. But police are now going on the theory that Bissonnette was the lone shooter.
One widely circulated story quoted a witness claim they overheard a gunman shout "Allahu Akbar." It is unclear what we should make of this now. It's possible it was a mistake in the confusion of the attack (as the victims were Muslim, someone may have shouted out something similar). Or it could have been yelled by the attacker as a sort of sick joke, similar to the alleged words of the Munich shooter a few months ago.

