Martin Rouleau, Quebec driver shot by police, 'radicalized': RCMP

A driver who was fatally shot by police after striking two Canadian Forces members in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que., earlier today was known to federal authorities as someone who may have been 'radicalized,' according to the RCMP and the Prime Minister's Officer.

Martin Rouleau, 25, was a resident of Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and was known to provincial and federal police.

'We are at the beginning of an investigation. Several hypotheses are being looked at,' said Sgt. Michel Brunet, adding that investigators would study various angles, including mental illness and terrorism.

Police confirmed the suspect's death Monday evening, several hours after he was transported to hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The incident began at around 11:30 a.m. ET when the two soldiers were hit in a parking lot of a commercial plaza. Both were injured, one critically.

The incident was raised in the House of Commons this afternoon by Conservative MP Randy Hoback, who questioned Prime Minister Stephen Harper about 'unconfirmed reports of a possible terror attack' targeting members of the Canadian Forces.

Harper, reading from a piece of paper, would only say he was 'aware of these reports' and that they are troubling.

The prime minister was informed of the incident on Monday afternoon by RCMP commissioner Bob Paulson, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Tom Lawson, and national security adviser Stephen Rigby. It's unclear whether the briefing took place before or after question period in the House of Commons.

Suspect possibly 'radicalized'

The RCMP issued a statement late Monday evening, confirming the suspect was also known to federal authorities.

'This individual was known to federal authorities including our Integrated National Security Investigations team in Montreal who along with other authorities were concerned that he had become radicalized. Out of respect and deference to the ongoing criminal investigation arising from today's terrible events, the RCMP will not comment further except to say that we are working with our law enforcement partners to ensure all avenues of investigation are pursued,' the statement said.

Minutes later, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office also issued a written statement suggesting Canadians should be vigilant.

'Federal authorities have confirmed that there are indications that this is clearly an individual who has been radicalized. As security agencies of Canada reported ... Canadians should remain vigilant.'

Police have not named the soldiers but confirmed at an afternoon news conference that they were members of the Forces.

When asked about the reports Hoback mentioned in Parliament, Lt. Guy Lapointe of the Sûreté du Québec said police are looking into whether the victims were targeted.

'All I can say is that the theory that this is a deliberate act is part of what we'll be looking at,' he said. 'But it's really too early to speculate at this point.'

Shot by police after pursuit

Lapointe said officers from the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu police spotted the suspect not long after the soldiers were hit and followed the driver for four kilometres.

The chase ended when the suspect lost control of his car, flipping it into a ditch.

Police said the man got out of the vehicle and several shots were fired by officers.

Nathalie Vanasse was driving by with her husband when she saw the vehicle in the ditch.

'I was scared. I started crying. I wanted to get out of my car to go help, before the shots were fired ... I heard and saw shots being fired - seven shots,' she said.

'I saw a police officer jump to the side to protect himself. That's when I saw the suspect fall to the ground.'

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