Benjamin Shingler and Rob Gillies
Associated Press
via ABC News
10/21/2014
A young convert to Islam who killed a Canadian soldier in a hit-and-run had been on the radar of federal investigators, who feared he had jihadist ambitions and seized his passport when he tried to travel to Turkey, authorities said Tuesday.
Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney said the attack Monday was “clearly linked to terrorist ideology.” Quebec Police spokesman Guy Lapointe said the act was deliberate and that one of the two soldiers was in uniform.
Police said the suspect, Martin Couture-Rouleau, called 911 to report his hit-and-run as police chased him in the Quebec city of Saint-Jean-Sur-Richelieu. He later was shot dead by police after his car flipped over into a ditch and he brandished a knife as he exited his car. A second soldier suffered minor injuries in the attack.
Couture-Rouleau, 25, was one of 90 people in the country suspected of intending to join fights abroad or who have returned from overseas, according to Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Bob Paulson.
He first came to attention of authorities in June because of Facebook postings that showed he had become radicalized and wanted to leave the country to fight, said Royal Canadian Mounted Police Supt. Martine Fontaine…
The article, with video, continues at ABC News.
Related: Prime Minister Stephen Harper left this message on Facebook today:
I learned with shock and sadness yesterday that two Canadian Armed Forces members from Canadian Forces Base Saint-Jean Garrison were hit by a man who, according to our national security services, had become radicalized.
On behalf of all Canadians, Laureen and I offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the CAF member who succumbed to injuries caused by this vicious event. We also offer our prayers for the recovery of the member who was injured. I would also like to thank first responders on the scene for their efforts.
Finally, I want to express that the authorities can count on our full support in order to get to the bottom of this terrible act.
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C’est avec stupeur et tristesse que j’ai appris hier que deux membres des Forces armées canadiennes de la Garnison de la Base des Forces canadiennes Saint Jean ont été happés par un homme qui, selon nos services de sécurité nationale, s’était radicalisé.
Au nom de tous les Canadiens, Laureen et moi offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis du membre des FAC qui a succombé aux blessures subies lors de cet événement odieux. Nous prions également pour le rétablissement du militaire qui a été blessé. Par ailleurs, j’aimerais remercier les premiers intervenants sur les lieux pour leurs efforts.
Enfin, je tiens à dire que les autorités peuvent compter sur notre plein appui pour faire toute la lumière sur ce geste horrible.
