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Police: Man charged in Toronto stabbing cites Allah Police: Man charged in Toronto stabbing cites Allah
(about 3 hours later)
TORONTO — A 27-year-old Canadian man said, “Allah told me to come here and kill people” at a double stabbing at a military recruitment center in Toronto, police said Tuesday. TORONTO — A 27-year-old Canadian man said Allah sent him to stab two soldiers at a military recruitment center in Toronto, according to police.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said Ayanie Hassan Ali had been charged with one count of attempted murder, two counts of assault with a weapon, two weapons charges and one assault charge. Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said Tuesday the suspect walked into the center on Monday and began attacking a uniformed Canadian Forces member at the front desk slashing him in the arm. The suspect then attempted to slash a female soldier. Before he was subdued, another soldier was injured. Neither of the soldiers’ injuries are considered life threatening.
Saunders said the suspect walked into the center on Monday and began striking a uniformed Canadian Forces member at the front desk before slashing him on the right upper arm. He said the suspect then attempted to slash a female member of the Forces before he was subdued.
“While at the scene, the accused stated that ‘Allah told me to do this, Allah told me to come here and kill people,’” Saunders said.“While at the scene, the accused stated that ‘Allah told me to do this, Allah told me to come here and kill people,’” Saunders said.
He said police were investigating whether the attack was terrorism and that there was nothing to indicate the Montreal-born man was working with anyone or any organization. He said Ali had no previous criminal record and was unresponsive to questions at the scene. Ayanle Hassan Ali has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and several other counts, according to court documents.
Saunder said police were still investigating whether the attack was terrorism and that there was nothing to indicate the Montreal-born man was working with anyone or any organization. He said Ali had no previous criminal record and responded to questions at the scene.
The police chief urged the public against any anti-Islam sentiment in the wake of the attack.The police chief urged the public against any anti-Islam sentiment in the wake of the attack.
Ali will appear in court later Tuesday. Ali, dressed in a white jump suit and his hands cuffed behind him, bowed his head when he made a brief court appearance on Tuesday. A justice of the peace imposed a publication ban on his preliminary hearing following a request from his lawyer. His case will be back in court Friday.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that Canadians and the Canadian Forces “will not be intimidated by terror & hate” and wished those injured a full recovery. “He just seems very scared right now and very unhappy to be in the situation he finds himself in right now,” his lawyer David Burke said outside court. “He seems like an intelligent enough man.”
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada’s intelligence service were involved in the investigation of the attack. Burke declined to say what Ali does for a living or detail his living arrangements. He said his law office was contacted by family.
“Obviously it’s not something we see on a daily basis; however, we are professionals and we always have to take care of our own people,” said Major Richard Silva, a spokesman for the recruitment center. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that Canadians and the Canadian Forces “will not be intimidated by terror & hate.” He also wished those injured a full recovery.
In 2014, a man authorities described as an “ISIL-inspired terrorist” ran over two soldiers in a parking lot in Quebec, killing one and injuring the other before being shot to death by police. The man had been under surveillance by Canadian authorities, who feared he had jihadist ambitions and seized his passport when he tried to travel to Turkey.In 2014, a man authorities described as an “ISIL-inspired terrorist” ran over two soldiers in a parking lot in Quebec, killing one and injuring the other before being shot to death by police. The man had been under surveillance by Canadian authorities, who feared he had jihadist ambitions and seized his passport when he tried to travel to Turkey.
Two days later, a gunman killed a Canadian soldier at the war memorial in Ottawa and then stormed Parliament before being shot dead. The man had taken issue with Canada’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan and the fight against the Islamic State group.Two days later, a gunman killed a Canadian soldier at the war memorial in Ottawa and then stormed Parliament before being shot dead. The man had taken issue with Canada’s involvement in the war in Afghanistan and the fight against the Islamic State group.
Canada’s new Liberal government has ended airstrikes against the Islamic State but has tripled the number of soldiers that train Kurdish soldiers in Northern Iraq.Canada’s new Liberal government has ended airstrikes against the Islamic State but has tripled the number of soldiers that train Kurdish soldiers in Northern Iraq.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.