MONTREAL—Two attackers carried out a shooting at a Quebec City mosque Sunday evening that has killed at least five people, according to the president of the Islamic Centre of Quebec.

While police did not immediately release a tally of those killed and injured, a spokesperson for the Quebec City force said that there had been “many victims” in the incident, which occurred shortly before 8 p.m. at the Grand Mosque in the Quebec City suburb of Ste-Foy, while evening prayers were being held.

“There were dead,” said Étienne Doyon, speaking on behalf of the Quebec City police.

Montreal’s La Presse newspaper reported Sunday night that the incident is being treated as a terrorist attack, although Quebec City police would not confirm that.

Mohamed Yangui, president of the Islamic Centre of Quebec, said five people were killed in the attack, although he was unable to identify the victims. Yangui said Sunday evening prayers are generally attended by between 60 and 100 people, most of whom are men. The few women in attendance would have been on the second level of the building, above where the shooting occurred, Yangui said.

One man who was at the mosque told Radio-Canada that there were two attackers wearing ski masks who burst into the building and opened fire.

The man, who didn’t want to be identified by name, said they had strong Québécois accents, but added that he believed he heard them shouting “Allahu Akbar.” His testimony could not be independently confirmed.

The man said he narrowly escaped when a bullet whizzed over his head. He said the gunmen took aim at those who were still praying.

One was reportedly arrested at the scene of the attack while another fled. Doyon, the police spokesman, said both men had been arrested and would be facing charges of murder.

But police would not provide any information about the individuals who were arrested “for strategic and operational reasons, Doyon said.

“The investigation has not ended,” he said. “We will be trying to verify if there is a third or fourth or any other person involved. We’re not ruling out that there may be other suspects.”

The mosque was targeted last summer when someone left a severed pig’s head at the entrance accompanied by a note that read, “Bon appétit.”

Yangui said the community keeps in contact with the RCMP about threats or concerns, but there have been none recently that stand out.

Asked who might commit such an act, or why, he said: “I have no idea. Really no idea.”

There was an immediate outpouring of support and sympathy for the victims and the Muslim community in Quebec City.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote on Twitter: “Tonight, Canadians grieve for those killed in a cowardly attack on a mosque in Quebec City. My thoughts are with victims & their families.”

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard said his government was mobilizing to ensure enhanced security in the city and across the province.

He also wrote on social media: “Quebec categorically rejects this barbaric violence. All our solidarity is with the loved ones of the victims, the injured and their families.”

News of the deadly attack also spread south of the Canada-U.S. Border where, despite this weekend’s upheaval over the shutting of American borders to people from several predominantly Muslim countries, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, tweeted: “Our prayers tonight are with the people of Quebec City as they deal with a terrible attack on a mosque. We must stand together.”

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