‘No evidence’ to back IS claim for deadly Toronto attack – police

Canadian authorities say they have no evidence to substantiate a claim by the Islamic State group that the gunman who killed two people in a Toronto rampage on Sunday was an IS soldier.

The group’s Amaq news agency said the gunman, identified by police as 29-year-old Faisal Hussain, was an IS “soldier” responding to its calls for attacks on nationals from countries fighting the group in Iraq and Syria.

“At this stage, we have no evidence to support these claims,” Toronto police say in a statement.

“We will continue to explore every investigative avenue, including interviewing those who knew Mr. Hussain, reviewing his online activity, and looking into his experiences with mental health,” police spokeswoman Meaghan Gray says.

The attack occurred Sunday night in Toronto’s Greektown area, as the shooter first opened fire at people on a crowded street before turning his attention to nearby restaurants.

Rushing to the scene, police exchanged fire with the shooter, who was found dead in an alleyway.

— AFP

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