Schizophrenic terrorist leaves Canada for Mecca - then to Somalia to meet his arranged-marriage bride

TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say On March 14 2016, Ali walked into the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre in Toronto and launched an immediate assault on a corporal stationed at the entrance.He struck the soldier repeatedly in the head before producing a large kitchen knife from a folder and slashing at him, inflicting a three-inch wound to the corporal's arm.When a petty officer grabbed a chair to defend himself and push Ali back, the attacker turned his attention to a female sergeant, pursuing her whilst swinging the blade and narrowly missing her neck.Another sergeant who had fallen during the commotion was slashed and stabbed multiple times to the head and upper body whilst lying on the ground.Military personnel eventually cornered Ali, hurling objects at him and tackling him to the floor to seize the weapon - the entire incident lasted under 60 seconds.Ali's family reported he had displayed symptoms for some time before the attack, where as a teenager, he experienced obsessions and compulsions, struggled to concentrate at school, and began hearing voices.He grew increasingly paranoid about government surveillance, withdrew from friends, and spent extended periods alone in his room staring at walls. He discarded nearly all his possessions, including his mattress, and devoted hours to copying books.LATEST DEVELOPMENTS‘Muslim only’ flat rentals illegally advertised by London landlordsCouncil denies 'hundreds of migrants' will fill care home converted into massive 35-bed HMOJewish-owned shop hit by arson attack in Watford - manhunt launched for 'group of young males'In May 2018, Ali was found not criminally responsible for three counts of attempted murder, two counts of assault causing bodily harm, two counts of assault with a weapon, and possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, owing to his schizophrenia diagnosis.He was subsequently detained at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton from 2018 until 2023, where staff described him as a model patient who complied with his medication regime.Following his transfer to Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health in March 2023, Ali was released to live with his father that June whilst receiving long-acting antipsychotic injections.In March 2025, he relocated to his mother's residence, where he lives alongside his sister - with his mother herself notably having a history of untreated schizophrenia.This February, Ali requested a switch to daily oral medication, citing the injections as too painful. He assured his psychiatrist he could maintain compliance by coordinating his doses with his daily prayer routine.His doctors reported he appeared much happier following the change, though they cautioned it remained early days.The tribunal noted Ali continues to experience intermittent low-grade paranoid thoughts and fleeting persecutory concerns, though these have decreased in duration and influence over the past year.The hospital report concluded Ali presents a low risk of violence under his current conditional discharge, though this would rise to moderate or high were he granted absolute discharge, given uncertainties surrounding his medication change.Ali's planned journey will see him accompany his father on an Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, also hoping to travel to Somalia for an introductory meeting with a woman his father has been arranging as a potential match - a practice Ali described as customary within his culture.The Review Board noted that Ali has expressed remorse for the harm he inflicted on the soldiers, stating his regret has strengthened his commitment to ongoing treatment.He is determined not to repeat such violent behaviors, the board concluded. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter