2 dead, 5 injured following "random" stabbing attack in Quebec City

A 24-year-old man was arrested early on Sunday morning in Quebec City after two people were fatally stabbed and five more were injured in a “random” attack.

According to Quebec City police, the man was dressed in a medieval outfit, wielding a large Japanese sword.

Police were called to the area of the old town area of the province’s capital before 10:30 pm on Halloween night and found victims in four locations, near the historic Château Frontenac hotel, close to du Trésor Street, and on des Remparts Street.

***ATTENTION*** | Peu avant 1h du matin, le SPVQ a arrêté un suspect | Nous demandons toujours aux citoyens de la ville de Québec de rester à l’intérieur, les portes verrouillées car une enquête est toujours en cours.

— Service de police de la Ville de Québec (@SPVQ_police) November 1, 2020

After a nearly three-hour manhunt, the 24-year-old — whose name wasn’t released — was arrested just before 1 am, a kilometre north of the city’s Old Port.

In a news conference on Sunday morning, Quebec City Police Chief Robert Pigeon said the suspect is from Montreal and came to Quebec City with the “intention of doing the most damage possible.”

The police chief believes he chose his victims at random and suspects the crimes were premeditated.

Two victims have been confirmed dead and five others were rushed to hospital with “varying levels of injury.” Pigeon says none of the five injured are in critical condition and expects them all to make full recoveries.

At just after 4 am on Sunday morning, Quebec City police tweeted that the situation was “under control.”

Quebec Premier François Legault tweeted on Sunday morning that the province is “waking up after a night of horror. I am failing to find words to describe the tragedy. I offer my condolences to the loved ones of the victims.”

Le Québec se réveille après une nuit d’horreur. Les mots me manquent pour décrire une telle tragédie. J’offre toutes mes condoléances aux proches des victimes. La vice-première ministre @GGuilbaultCAQ fera le point avec le maire Labeaume et le chef du @SPVQ_police à 9h30 ce matin

— François Legault (@francoislegault) November 1, 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted a response to what he called a “horrific attack.”

My heart breaks for the loved ones of the two people killed in last night’s horrific attack in Quebec City. I’m also wishing a full recovery to the injured. We’re keeping you in our thoughts and will be there for you. To all the first responders, thank you for your critical work.

— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) November 1, 2020

Quebec City Mayor ​Régis Labeaume referenced the January 2017 mosque shooting that left six people dead and called the events both “terrifying” and “impossible to understand.”