Police: suspect in military recruitment office stabbing said 'Allah told me to do this'
Chris Fox, CP24.com
Published Tuesday, March 15, 2016 5:30AM EDT
Last Updated Tuesday, March 15, 2016 1:01PM EDT
A 27-year-old man who allegedly slashed two uniformed Canadian Forces members at a recruitment office in North York on Monday claimed that “Allah told me to come here and kill people,” police say.
The suspect, who was born in Montreal and moved to Toronto five years ago, walked into the office on Yonge Street near Greenfield Avenue at around 3 p.m.
Once inside, police say the suspect walked past a master corporal who was stationed at the door of the office and then slashed him on his right arm with a “large knife” when he tried to stop the suspect.
The suspect then allegedly continued into the office and attempted to slash a female uniformed Canadian Forces member, who escaped injury.
Military personnel were then able to corral civilian applicants in a safe location and subdue the suspect until police arrived.
A second uniformed member did suffer non-life-threatening knife injuries while subduing the suspect.
At this point a motive for the attack has not yet been determined but Police Chief Mark Saunders says he can’t rule out terrorism.
Provincial police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service have all been notified
“We are certainly looking into it and that is why we are working in concert with other agencies to determine exactly what is going on,” Saunders told reporters at police headquarters on Tuesday morning. “There has to be a lot of analysis done so we can have a full and proper picture on what exactly motivated this act.”
Saunders said the suspect uttered the words “Allah told me to do this. Allah told me to come here and kill people” at the scene, however it is not clear whether he did so during or after the attack.
Right now, Saunders said police are trying to find out more about the suspect, including whether he may have travelled to any foreign countries where he could have been radicalized.
The suspect has, however, been “unresponsive” to questioning so far, according to Saunders.
The suspect does not have a prior criminal record.
“Certain comments were made that would fit a profile but there needs to be more to support (that the stabbing was an act of terrorism). You can’t just do that based on one statement,” Saunders said. “Today there is nothing to indicate that the accused was working with anyone or acting in concert with any organization.”
As police continue to search for a possible motive for the stabbing, Saunders said officers are eager to speak with anyone who saw the suspect yesterday or are otherwise aware of his activities.
Meanwhile, Saunders said he is asking his officers “be more vigilant” in the wake of the attack.
“We have exercised our due diligence by making sure our officers are aware and are being more vigilant in certain areas of the city and making sure that if they see suspicious activity they investigate it,” he said.
Victims released from hospital
The two Canadian forces members who were injured in Monday’s attack have both been released from hospital and are now recuperating at home.
Speaking with reporters on Tuesday morning, the commanding office of the recruitment centre said that it is largely “business as usual” today.
“They (members) are prepared to do their duties. Obviously it is not something we see on a daily basis but they are professional,” Major Richard Silva said.
Silva was asked whether the military was on any elevated alert leading up to Monday’s attack, however he refused to comment. He did, however, say that officials at the North York office “had not observed any unusual activities” in the days and weeks before the stabbing.
Ayanie Hassan Ali, 27, is charged with attempted murder, two counts of assault with a weapon, weapons dangerous and aggravated assault.
Ali is expected to appear in court at Finch Avenue West this afternoon.