A man shot to death after running down and killing a Canadian soldier with his car was `` radicalized '' and classified as a `` potential important threat '' to the country , Canadian authorities said Tuesday at a press conference . Police arrested Martin Rouleau Couture , who reportedly converted to Islam about a year ago , last July and confiscated his passport , but lacked enough evidence to keep him in custody , said Martine Fontaine of the RCMP . `` When he was arrested , he was about to go to Turkey , '' Fontaine said . `` We stopped him as he was about to leave Canada for terrorist actions . He was questioned when he was arrested . We have not been able to determine any real threat at this time . '' On Monday , a man driving a car hit two members of the Canadian Armed Forces who were walking in a strip mall parking lot in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu , Quebec , said David Falls , spokesman for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police . One soldier was killed . One soldier died and the other was injured . The suspect led police on a chase before his car rolled into a ditch in the town , southeast of Montreal , Falls said . Police said the man exited the car before officers shot and killed him . Months ago , Couture 's parents saw a change in their 25-year-old son 's behavior and asked authorities for help , police said . `` He was identified as a potential important threat , '' Fontaine said . `` His Facebook profile showed that he was about to leave the country and that he was radicalized . We met him several times . We worked with the imam of the mosque he was going to . '' Fontaine said police monitored his activities afterward . `` It is very difficult when a person prepares an act alone and uses a vehicle as a weapon , '' he said . Police said there are about 90 people in Canada classified as important threats . Bernard Lamotte of the RCMP said a unit formed in 2003 keeps an eye on potential terrorist activities . `` Each threat is taken seriously , '' he said . `` The threat that represents the Islamic State is taken very seriously . '' 'Remain vigilant and suspicious ' `` We are still investigating on the radicalization among Canadians , '' Fontaine said . `` We continue to promote a relationship of trust among Canadians so that they feel encouraged to share their concerns . `` We encourage families to remain vigilant and suspicious . The threat is real . We put everything in place to ensure national security . '' The two soldiers were from the town 's Saint-Jean Garrison . `` I want to express that the authorities can count on our full support in order to get to the bottom of this terrible act , '' Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday in a written statement . Neighbors told the CBC 's French-language service that Couture converted to Islam about a year ago . The news comes as Canada gets more involved in the global fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria , also known as ISIS or ISIL . Canada has pledged the use of fighter aircraft against the radical Sunni militant group taking over swaths of the Middle East . Inside the search area for suspected cop killer Eric Frein .
Royal Canadian Mounted Police : Suspect was `` radicalized '' Man 's passport was seized in July before he went to Turkey , police say . The man allegedly ran down two soldiers on foot , killing one of them . Police say they shot and killed the man after a car chase .