Trial underway for fatal 2021 Mississauga restaurant shooting
CBC
The alleged getaway driver from a shooting at a family-owned restaurant in Mississauga three years ago told a friend he was "shocked" by the situation while visiting the scene hours after bullets flew, court heard Wednesday.
The shooting at Chicken Land, on Glen Erin Drive and the Collegeway in Mississauga, took place on May 29, 2021, and left Naim Akl, 25, dead. Akl's mother, father and brother, and a family friend were also shot.
Crown prosecutors allege the shooting was planned by three men — Anand Nath, Suliman Raza and Naqash Abbasi. All three men have pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder.
Nath, from Mississauga, is accused of carrying out the shooting, while Raza, also from Mississauga, was the alleged getaway driver. Abbasi, from Brampton, was the alleged organizer, according to the Crown.
Prosecutors allege the three men had pledged allegiance to ISIS and were looking to silence Akl, who threatened to go to police about their actions.
Ammar Hashmi testified Wednesday and told the jury he was Akl's best friend. He said he worked with Akl and the three accused at a warehouse business called TryAlinc in Mississauga.
When Hashmi learned about the shooting on Instagram, he said, he called Raza, then later picked him up from his house and travelled to the scene, where he saw police officers gathering evidence.
Court also heard that Hashmi told Abbasi what he saw at the scene of the shooting that night.
Hashmi was part of a group chat with Raza, Nath, and Akl that showcased tension that appeared to be brewing between Akl and Abbasi.
In a voice message played before the jury, Akl called Abbasi a "f—king clown goof," and said the alleged organizer of the attack was looking for money.
"This guy is trying to take 3,000 more from me before he cuts me off. This guy is stupid bro," Akl said in the recording.
Hashmi also testified he spoke with Nath after visiting the scene and found out he had gone to Montreal after hearing the news, court heard. Nath stayed with Hashmi for two months in 2021 and moved out sometime before the shooting.
"He wanted to get his mind off from whatever happened with Naim," Hashmi said.
Nath made plans to visit Montreal at least a month before the shooting for business, Hashmi said during his cross-examination by Susan Pennyacker, who is representing the accused shooter.
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