Abdulahi Hasan Sharif, Edmonton Attack Suspect, Charged With 5 Counts Of Attempted Murder
No terror-related charges laid against man accused of stabbing police officer, running down pedestrians
Police have charged a Somali refugee who they say attacked an officer and ran down pedestrians with a truck — but are holding off on terrorism charges for now.
RCMP Supt. Stacey Talbot, with Alberta’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, said the investigation of Abdulahi Hasan Sharif is still “in its infancy.”
“The complexities of a terrorism investigation are vast,” Talbot said Monday. “We continue to collect and gather information.
“As the investigation unfolds and further information is garnered and if additional charges are supported, they will be pursued at that time.”
Sharif, 30, is to make his first appearance Tuesday in provincial court on 11 charges, including five counts of attempted murder.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said Sharif crossed legally into Canada in 2012 at a regular border crossing and obtained refugee status at that time. He said nothing raised any red flags at the time.
On Sunday, RCMP assistant commissioner Marlin Degrand said the suspect was checked thoroughly in 2015 after police received a report that he may have been radicalized.
Investigators determined at that time that he did not pose a threat.
Degrand said files on the suspect were kept and shared with other intelligence and police agencies.
Canadian Press via HuffPost
~Wakenya Canada
