Editor’s Note: Global News has edited this story until further information can be clarified.
The man accused of attempting to kill five people in Saturday night’s vehicle and stabbing attacks in Edmonton appeared in court on Tuesday morning.
A Somali interpreter was in the courtroom as Abdulahi Sharif appeared via CCTV, wearing an orange jumpsuit.
READ MORE: Who is Abdulahi Sharif?
Sharif appeared expressionless for most of the proceedings, looking down for parts of the discussion.
Sharif didn’t have a lawyer representing him and didn’t seek bail during the court appearance. His bail hearing was put over for six weeks, until Nov. 14.
The 30-year-old was charged with five counts of attempted murder, five counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, one count of criminal flight causing bodily harm and one count of possession of a weapon.
READ MORE: Abdulahi Sharif charged with attempted murder in Edmonton attacks
Police said terrorism charges are also expected, but none has been laid so far.
The charges come after Const. Mike Chernyk was run down by a vehicle and stabbed outside Commonwealth Stadium while conducting a roadblock at an Edmonton Eskimos football game on Saturday.
Watch below: Edmonton police released security video showing a car ramming into a police officer and the suspect getting out of the vehicle to stab the officer. WARNING: Video contains disturbing images.
Four pedestrians were also injured when they were struck by a U-Haul van in downtown Edmonton a few hours later.
READ MORE: Who are the victims of Edmonton attacks?
According to documents provided to the police by the government of Alberta and obtained by Global News, Sharif is a Somali refugee who came to Canada in 2012. Initial information on the documents indicated he was sponsored by the federal government for one year.
But according to a spokesperson for the minister of Public Safety, Sharif presented himself at an official port of entry and then claimed asylum status. He was granted refugee status later that year.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale insisted security screening of Sharif was thorough.
“We make sure when doing the vetting that we’re not only checking Canadian records but also international records to make sure when it comes to identification, when it comes to any criminal record, when it comes to any immigration violation in the past or any other reason for any concern about public safety,” he told reporters in Ottawa.
READ MORE: Suspect in Edmonton attacks didn’t raise red flags during asylum process: Goodale
Sharif was investigated three years after arriving in Canada, in 2015, after police received a complaint that he was allegedly “espousing extremist ideology.”
“At the end of that exhaustive investigation, there was insufficient evidence to pursue terrorism charges or a peace bond,” RCMP Assistant Commissioner Marlin Degrand said.
Sharif is currently being held at the Edmonton Remand Centre.
Watch below: Ongoing Global News coverage of the Edmonton attacks
-
![]()
Edmonton attack suspect on police radar. What happened? -
![]()
Edmonton terror attacks: who are the victims? -
![]()
Edmonton police speak to pursuit downtown -
![]()
Neighbours of man accused in Edmonton attack shocked -
![]()
Security adviser discusses Edmonton terror attack -
![]()
Talking to kids about Edmonton terror attacks -
![]()
Oilers coach Todd McLellan reacts to weekend attacks in Edmonton -
![]()
Public Safety minister condemns ‘ISIS-inspired’ attack in Edmonton -
![]()
RCMP say no public safety concern before Saturday’s attacks in Edmonton -
![]()
How Saturday’s attacks in Edmonton unfolded -
![]()
Attempted murder charges laid in Edmonton attacks -
![]()
Unity and community support urged after Edmonton attacks -
![]()
Edmonton rallies after terror attack -
![]()
Suspect arrested in Edmonton terror attack
With files from Slav Kornik, Vassy Kapelos, Global News.
Comments