Toronto cops: No evidence for IS attack claim
TORONTO: Police Chief Mark Saunders said officials have found no evidence to support the Islamic State group’s claim of responsibility for the mass shooting in Toronto that killed two people and wounded 13.
The Islamic State claimed that one of its “soldiers” carried out Sunday night’s attack in response to its calls to target citizens of the US-led coalition battling it. The claim appears on one of the group’s social media channels, and a security member of IS was quoted speaking to the group’s Amaq news agency.
Saunders said in a statement that all areas of the Toronto Police Service have been involved in the investigation and they have received assistance from law enforcement partners at every level.
“At this stage, we have no evidence to support these claims,” Saunders said.
Saunders said officials will continue to explore every investigative avenue, including interviews and reviewing the online activity and mental health experiences of dead gunman Faisal Hussain.
Federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has also said there was no national security risk following the attack.
Hussain died after an exchange of gunfire with police. His family has said he suffered from lifelong “severe mental health challenges” including psychosis and depression and had not responded to numerous treatment approaches, including therapy and medication.
Authorities identified the 10-yearold girl who was slain as Julianna Kozis of Markham, Ontario. Toronto police released a photo of the smiling, young girl and said her family had asked for privacy during their time of grief.
Police previously identified the other person killed in the shooting as 18-year-old Reese Fallon of Toronto
Kozis was involved in synchronized swimming, and her Markham Synchro Club issued a statement calling her “a beautiful, aspiring athlete”.
Members of the club later attended a vigil in Toronto.
The city of Markham paid tribute to Kozis by lowering flags and opening a book of condolence.
The girl’s photo and a memory book sat on a table inside Markham city hall, surrounded by delicate pink rose petals.
“Right now we need to focus on respecting the family’s wishes for privacy as they deal with a horrible loss,” Mayor Frank Scarpitti said Wednesday.
“When we heard it was a 10-yearold girl from Markham, all of our hearts dropped.” — AFP