A Canada hit and run attack occurred in a small Quebec city on Monday prompted many to speculate that it had been a terrorist attack. The alleged terrorist injured two members of the Canadian Armed Forces on the Canada hit and run attack.
The two men, one reportedly in uniform, were walking in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu City when the Canada hit and run attack happened. Located south of Montreal, the city reportedly houses several military facilities.
One of the Canadian soldiers died early Tuesday, according to the Quebec provincial police. NBC News reported that the soldier died from his injuries after getting struck during the Canada hit and run attack. Meanwhile, police added that the other soldier is in stable condition with less serious injuries.
Local police said they chased the car several miles before it overturned and crashed near a ditch. The driver, identified by police as 25-year-old Martin Couture Rouleau, climbed out of his vehicle before police opened fire, the Montreal Gazette reported.
A large knife was found on the ground near the crashed car, reports the BBC. Rouleau was taken to hospital where he died hours later.
According to authorities, Rouleau was already one of 90 militants currently being tracked even before the Canada hit and run attack.
Provincial police took over the investigation, according to the New York Times.
In the meantime, an unusual question reportedly emerged in the House of Commons after the Canada hit and run attack, with many are suspecting that what was what appeared to be just a violent assault might have been a terrorist attack.
The Canada hit and run attack is a "terrible act of violence against our country," labelled Public Safety Minister Steven Blaney.
Governing Conservative Party member Randy Hoback, representing a district in Saskatchewan, has asked Prime Minister Stephen Harper about "unconfirmed reports of a possible terror attack against two members of the Canadian Armed Forces."
Harper replied that "we are aware of these reports, and they are obviously extremely troubling."
Member of the opposition, New Democratic Party leader Tom Mulcair however criticized Harper for quickly suggesting motives for the Canada hit and run attack.
"I was a bit surprised by the interplay between the prime minister and one of his backbenchers when we're still waiting for any information from the police," said Mulcair. "Let the police do their job, and then we'll know whether we're dealing with the type of situation they've described."
Harper still was adamant and fuelled terrorist speculations of the Canada hit and run attack Monday evening making a statement from his office.
"The individual who struck the two [Canadian Armed Forces] members with his car is known to federal authorities, including the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team," cited Harper's office in a written statement.
The statement said that the motorist was known to a special antiterrorism program led by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. "Federal authorities have confirmed that there are clear indications that the individual had become radicalized," it said.
Meanwhile, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commissioner Bob Paulson said authorities had been tracking the group which Rouleau was in because they may have plans of going abroad to join militant groups.
Provincial police force Sûreté du Québec did not provide much information about the dead man or his possible motives for the Canada hit and run attack.
"The theory that this was a deliberate act is part of what we're looking at," said spokesman and Lt. Guy Lapointe told reporters. "It's really too early to speculate."
However, a neighbour of the alleged terrorist told reporters that Rouleau had been growing out his beard and started to wear loose-fitting Muslim clothing.
The Canada hit and run attack reportedly occurred after Parliament had sent jet fighters to hold airstrikes in Iraq to fight Islamic State militants.
Canada security officials have raised concerns of possible incidents where Canadians might become radicalized and join terrorist groups overseas of commit acts at home.
Victims of the Canada hit and run attack have not been identified by the police, as requested by their families.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
