Accused in Canadian Forces double stabbing will return to court next week
Posted March 18, 2016 8:59 am.
Last Updated March 18, 2016 9:00 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO (NEWS 1130) – Ayanle Hassan Ali, the man charged with attempted murder after an attack at a North York military recruitment centre, made a brief appearance in court on Friday.
Ali, 27, is accused of walking into the building at Yonge and Sheppard streets and stabbing and wounding two uniformed soldiers on Monday afternoon.
Neither soldier has life-threatening wounds. A third person was injured during Ali’s arrest.
Ali’s hearing lasted less than a minute and he was instructed to return to court on March 24. He will remain in police custody until that time.
His lawyer said the time is needed to gather more information about his bail application.
Ali faces nine charges, including three counts of attempted murder. He is also charged with two counts of aggravated assault, three counts of assault with a weapon, and one count of weapons dangerous.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders quoted the man as saying: “Allah told me to do this, Allah told me to come here and kill people.”
Saunders urged the public against any anti-Islam sentiment in the wake of the attack.
Toronto police are working with the RCMP, OPP, and CSIS to establish a motive.
Saunders said Ali was born in Montreal but moved to Toronto 2011. He has no previous criminal history.
Ali’s laywer has said he may seek bail for his client on Friday, if he can find sureties for him.
