Police say pellet-style gun used in mosque attack
Incident may be linked to incident at nearby home in E.K.
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Police investigators probing an attack on a Winnipeg mosque have determined the weapon used was likely an airsoft or pellet-style gun — not a firearm, as initially believed.
The Winnipeg Police Service said in an update Friday investigators have potentially linked the Wednesday night shooting at Rahma Islamic Centre to reports of similar damage at a home on the 600 block of Roberta Avenue.
“The incident is reported to have occurred at 10:15 p.m. on the same evening, and damage to the windows of the residence is believed to have been caused by an airsoft or pellet-style gun as well,” the news release said.
Boarded-up broken windows at the Winnipeg Rahma Islamic Centre on Friday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)
“Due to the proximity and time frame of both incidents, investigators are attempting to determine if the incidents are related.”
Police launched an investigation into a suspected hate-motivated attack at the Watt Street mosque after receiving a report that shots had been fired at the building, damaging its windows.
Two suspects later approached the Islamic Centre on foot and caused additional damage by shattering windows with an unknown object. Investigators also learned suspected had visited the mosque earlier that evening and “shouted racist comments towards patrons,” the release said.
Nobody was injured during the incident.
Leaders from Manitoba’s Islamic community condemned the incident during a news conference Thursday night. They were joined by politicians from within Manitoba and beyond, including a statement by Prime Minister Mark Carney.
“I am deeply disturbed to learn of the shots fired at the Rahma Islamic Centre in Winnipeg last night. This violent act of Islamophobia is appalling and has no place in Canada,” Carney wrote.
The WPS hate crimes unit is investigating the shootings at the centre and the nearby residence and has asked anybody with information to contact police.
At the news conference, Manitoba’s culture minister, Nellie Kennedy, promised the $3,000 bill to repair the mosque would be paid for by taxpayers.
Glass from broken windows at the Winnipeg Rahma Islamic Centre on Friday. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press)
The Free Press asked Kennedy why the province would cover the bill in this case when it didn’t after incidents of vandalism involving other houses of worship or businesses.
She said the gesture will show that the Muslim community is valued and “that they belong here, they’re welcomed here.”
“They should know that their provincial government is here to help protect them and keep them safe,” she said, stressing the repairs are important because “these places are sanctuary for people.”
fpcity@freepress.mb.ca