Toronto attack suspect’s post hints at misogyny

A FACEBOOK message posted before the Toronto van attack has suggested the suspect resented women and people with active sex lives.

It has also evoked memories of previous attacks, including a 1989 massacre of 14 women by a man who blamed feminists for his problems.

The gender issue arose because of what police called a “cryptic” Facebook message posted by Toronto suspect Alek Minassian just before the incident.

It suggested he was part of an online community angry over their inability to form relationships with women.

The now-deleted post saluted Elliot Rodger, a community college student who killed six people and wounded 13 in shooting and stabbing attacks near the University of California, Santa Barbara, in 2014.

Calling Rodger “the Supreme Gentleman”, the Facebook post declared: “The Incel Rebellion has already begun! We will overthrow all the Chads and Stacys!”

“Incel” is a term used on internet forums meaning “involuntary celibate”, while “Chads” and “Stacys” denote people with more active sexual lives.

A crowd gathered in Toronto’s North York community to pay their respects to the van victims at a makeshift memorial of roses, candles and messages of condolence.

“I needed to come here to show that I’m not afraid of this city,” said Meena Chowdry, wiping away tears.

“That one man’s actions cannot taint an otherwise beautiful city.”

Minassian, 25, was charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of 10 pedestrians mown down by a rented van.