Deadly shooting at a restaurant in Mississauga may have terrorist group connection

A man accused in a deadly shooting at a small west Mississauga restaurant in 2021 in which one person was killed and four others wounded allegedly had loyalties to the terrorist group ISIS.

The allegations come from a murder trial taking place this week in Brampton court, where the suspected gunman is facing a murder charge in connection with the May 29, 2021 shooting at Erin Mills neighbourhood restaurant Chicken Land.

According to CTV News, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement the man on trial was allegedly one of three men who had pledged allegiance to the terror group also known as Islamic State.

Two other men are also on trial in Brampton court on the same murder and attempted murder charges as the accused shooter.

Naim Akl, 25, of Oakville, who was the son of the restaurant’s owner, was killed in the shooting. He was pronounced dead inside the family-run eatery at Glen Erin Drive and The Collegeway.

It’s alleged, according to CTV News, that he was planning to report three men to Canadian authorities after learning of their suspected allegiance to ISIS.

Four others inside the restaurant, including the 56-year-old owner, his wife, 44, and his other son, 22, were treated for their injuries at hospital. A 58-year-old man who worked at the restaurant was also shot, but survived. (All ages are as of the time of shooting).

After a week-long manhunt shortly after the shooting, three men — two from Mississauga, one from Brampton — were captured and charged by Peel Regional Police.