Is Canada Anti-Muslim? A Look At Hate Crimes After Quebec City Mosque Attack Leaves 6 Dead, 17 Injured

Police have detained two suspected killers -- one is now considered a witness -- in Quebec City after Sunday’s Mosque attack that killed six people and left 17 wounded during evening prayers. Canadian Prime Minster Justin Trudeau and Quebec premier Phillippe Couillard called Sunday’s incident “terrorist attack on Muslims.”

"Six people are confirmed dead - they range in age from 35 to about 70," Quebec provincial police spokeswoman Christine Coulombe told reporters, adding that about 40 or so people were at the Québec City Islamic cultural center, also known as the Grande Mosquée de Québec, during the shooting.

Authorities initially said Alexandre Bissonnette, who is of French-Canadian origin, and Mohamed El Khadir, who is of Moroccan origin, were arrested on suspicion after Sunday’s attack. But the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RMCP) took to Twitter Monday and tweeted that "following the investigation, the second individual is now considered as a witness" -- referring to El Khadir.

Police said early Monday they were confident no other suspects were involved in the attack. "They consider this a lone wolf situation," a source said.

"Why is this happening here? This is barbaric...we are sad for the families," Trudeau said in a statement following the shooting.

“We condemn this terrorist attack on Muslims in a center of worship and refuge.

“While authorities are still investigating and details continue to be confirmed, it is heart-wrenching to see such senseless violence.

"Diversity is our strength, and religious tolerance is a value that we, as Canadians, hold dear," he said.

President Donald Trump apparently called Trudeau to express his condolences "and offered to provide any assistance as needed," said Trudeau spokesman Cameron Ahmad, according to Reuters.

The shooting came on the weekend that Trudeau said Canada would welcome immigrants and refugees after Trump temporarily banned seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. on national security grounds. “There is nothing nice about searching for terrorists before they can enter our country. This was a big part of my campaign. Study the world,” Trump tweeted Monday.

There have been other antagonistic acts against Muslims in Canada within the last year.

In July, during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, a gift-wrapped pig's head was left at the front door of the Quebec City mosque that was attacked. In October, a group based in Quebec showed a banner at the province’s legislative assembly, which said in French: “Death to terrorists; Muslims out.”

In November 2015, a mosque in Peterborough, Ontario, was set on fire. In 2013, police investigated after a mosque in the Saguenay region of Québec was smeared with what have been believed to be pig's blood.

Though it is still unclear whether Sunday was truly a terrorist attack, the Canadian Council of Imams said in a statement that "Islamophobia has killed innocent Canadians."

"We ask all decent people to stand against hatred of Islam and Muslims in any forum," the statement read.

Couillard, who said the Muslim community was the target of Sunday's "murderous attack," planned to increased security at mosques in Quebec City, the capital of Quebec, and Montreal, Quebec's most populated city.

"We are with you. You are home," Couillard said. "You are welcome in your home. We are all Quebecers. We must continue together to build an open welcoming and peaceful society."

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also followed suit. He said police were providing additional protection for mosques in the city. "All New Yorkers should be vigilant. If you see something, say something," he tweeted.

Sunday's attack is currently being investigated by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, Canadian security agencies including police forces and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service, according to the Telegraph.

So far, no charges have yet been filed against the alleged shooter.

“The inquiry is ongoing to determine the motives,” said RCMP Supt. Martin Plante. “It is too early to determine what charges will be laid.”

There were 63 anti-Muslim hate crimes reported in Canada in 2016, up from 59 in 2015, and 23 in 2014, according to the National Council of Canadian Muslims.

A vigil in Quebec City will be held Monday night to honor the victims of the mass shooting.