In May 2021, a fatal shooting took place at a chicken restaurant in Mississauga, Ontario. The accused allegedly committed the crime to prevent the victim from informing the police that a group he was involved in business with had pledged allegiance to ISIS. The victim, 22-year-old Daniel Akl, was working at his family’s restaurant when a hooded masked man entered and shot him in the neck. Other family members and a friend were also shot, resulting in fatal injuries to Daniel’s brother Naim. The shooter fled the scene in a getaway car, and none of the survivors were able to identify him.
According to Assistant Crown Attorney David D’Iorio, Naqash Abbasi, Suliman Raza, and Anand Nath are accused of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder in connection with the shooting. The Crown alleges that Naim Akl had converted to Islam and was working with Abbasi’s group in a warehouse business known as “Tryalinc.” It is believed that the group was financing ISIS through the business, and Naim had discovered their allegiance to the terrorist organization. Due to a falling out over the business, Naim planned to go to the authorities and betray them, leading to the accused concocting a plan to kill him and his family.
The Crown claims that Abbasi encouraged Raza and Nath to commit the crimes, with Raza serving as the driver and Nath as the gunman. Their objective was to eliminate everyone in the restaurant to prevent Naim from revealing their connection to ISIS. The accused have all pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, and the trial is ongoing. The tragic incident has left the Akl family devastated and seeking justice for the loss of their loved one.
The shooting at Chicken Land restaurant has shaken the Mississauga community and raised concerns about the presence of extremist ideologies within certain groups. The case highlights the dangerous consequences of individuals becoming radicalized and the potential for violence to ensue as a result. The impact of the incident on the Akl family and their friends has been far-reaching, as they continue to cope with the trauma and loss caused by the senseless act of violence.
As the trial progresses, more details are expected to emerge about the events leading up to the shooting and the motivations behind the accused individuals’ actions. The prosecution will present evidence to support their case against Abbasi, Raza, and Nath, while the defense will likely seek to undermine the credibility of the allegations. The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the future of the case and may provide closure for the Akl family and the community at large. It remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold and what justice will ultimately be served in this tragic and complex case.
