‘All of Quebec is devastated,’ Legault says, after two children found dead in Wendake

WENDAKE, Que. — The entire Huron-Wendat Nation is in shock, Grand Chief Konrad Sioui said Sunday, after two children were found dead in Wendake, Que., a Huron-Wendat community near Quebec City.

“We have no words,” Sioui said in an interview.

“We can’t believe that little angels like this, young children, have been subjected to so much violence.”

Quebec provincial police spokeswoman Ann Mathieu said earlier Sunday that the force received a call from Wendake police at around 2 a.m. about the discovery of two bodies.

Mathieu said a 30-year-old man surrendered to Quebec City police in relation to the incident.

The suspect was evaluated in hospital and is being questioned by investigators, Mathieu said on Sunday afternoon.

Provincial and Wendake police are involved in the investigation into what happened.

Mathieu said investigators are still looking into any potential connections between the suspect and the children. The children, boys aged two and five, were from the same family, she said.

Forensic investigators will analyze the scene on Sunday, Mathieu added, and autopsies are expected to be conducted on the children early this week.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault offered his condolences to the entire Huron-Wendat Nation on Sunday and said his heart was broken by the news of the children’s deaths.

“All of Quebec is devastated this morning by this unspeakable tragedy,” Legault tweeted.

The province’s new Indigenous affairs minister also tweeted his condolences to the children’s loved ones.

“My first thoughts go out to the loved ones and the family of these two young children,” Ian Lafreniere wrote.

“There are no words to describe such a tragedy. As a father, my heart is shattered.”

Sioui said the tragedy also highlights the need to openly discuss mental health issues.

“It’s an epidemic,” he said.

“Many people suffer from mental health issues and instead of hiding it, we need to address it. People are suffering in silence.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 11, 2020.

Stephane Blais, The Canadian Press