(Montreal) Several questions remain the day after a fight that left three people injured in a mosque in Châteauguay on Friday, on the South Shore of Montreal.
The suspect, a 24-year-old man armed with a knife, was arrested and was due to be questioned by police.
Rachid Azmane, administrator of the Muslim Cultural Centre of Châteauguay, said in a telephone interview Saturday that the incident occurred in the basement when people noticed the individual’s strange behaviour. He changed places a few times and they asked him what he had in his pocket.
The person who did this, he never raised his hand or attacked anyone. It was just a precaution. We followed the security measures, before he probably did it. We don’t know what he wanted to do. A normal person doesn’t come with a knife in his pocket.
Rachid Azmane, administrator of the Muslim Cultural Center of Châteauguay
Rachid Azmane added that the man entered the mosque before prayers and attracted the attention of staff, who noticed he was acting “a bit strangely” and became alarmed when they saw he was carrying a knife.
The three men who were injured, all volunteers, suffered their injuries while trying to get hold of the knife, he said, adding that it seemed obvious that the suspect, whom no one knew, “was suffering from something.”
“The police investigation is ongoing and we will see later,” he said.
On Friday, the Chateauguay Police Department said the three victims were in their 50s and suffered minor injuries, with one of them taken to hospital with hand injuries. He is reportedly known to worshipers.
The suspect was taken to the police station Friday afternoon, but investigators have not provided any details on a possible motive.
According to Mr Azmane, the suspect had no connection with the mosque itself.
He took advantage of his interview with The Canadian Press to appeal to people suffering from a mental health problem, such as depression, not to hesitate to ask for help.
The suspect was due to appear in court on Saturday afternoon.
The Muslim Cultural Centre of Châteauguay reopened its doors on Saturday.