Rahma Islamic Centre, 574 Watt Street (GOOGLE STREET VIEW)
Winnipeg police are investigating a suspected hate-motivated attack on the Rahma Islamic Centre in the 500 block of Watt Street.
Police say passing officers observed freshly broken windows at the mosque at approximately 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Police determined a suspect vehicle had driven by, during which time a gun was fired in the direction of the mosque, believed to have caused damage to the windows, before fleeing southbound on Watt Street.
Two suspects later arrived on foot and caused additional damage by breaking more windows with an unknown object, police say. No injuries were reported.
Officers also learned that suspects had attended earlier in the evening and shouted racist comments toward patrons.
Police are treating the incident as a potential hate-motivated crime involving both property damage and the reported discharge of a firearm at a mosque.
In light of the incident, police say they intend to increase their presence and patrols in and around the Rahma Islamic Centre and other area mosques.
Anyone with information or video, including dash cam footage, is asked to contact police at (204) 986-6219 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at (204) 786-TIPS.
