Flags at Saskatoon’s and Regina’s city halls are at half-mast Monday, as leaders across the province condemn a shooting at a Quebec City mosque.
“These are terrible events to happen on Canadian soil to Canadian citizens. They occurred at a time when people were in prayer, in a time of peace, and in their holy place,” Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said of the shooting, which left six men dead and five other people critically injured Sunday night.
“I condemn all acts of violence. This is a time for all of us in Saskatoon to stand together, neighbour to neighbour, to ensure everyone feels safe in our community.”
Clark spoke on the shooting alongside Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall. Wall was in the city for a meeting with the Saskatchewan Party.
“It's just unspeakably horrific that this shooting has occurred, that lives have been lost and so many others have been injured,” Wall said.
The shooting happened during evening prayers at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec shortly before 8 p.m. A 27-year-old Canadian man, Alexandre Bissonnette, is facing six counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder in connection to the attack.
“Many people are just so astonished and taken aback by the depravity and the violence of this act,” Daniel Kuhlen, with the Islamic Association of Saskatchewan, said. “To kill innocent people at prayer in the house of worship is just so mind-numbing.”
Regina Mayor Michael Fougere, who posted a statement to Facebook, also condemned the attack.
“Regina will always stand in solidarity with Muslims in our community and across Canada,” he wrote. “We are a free and tolerant society; that is one of our greatest strengths, and will continue to be regardless of the intolerance of a few.”
Both cities hosted vigils Monday evening to mourn victims of the attack and show solidarity for the Muslim community.
--- with files from CTVNews.ca’s Josh Elliott and The Canadian Press
