Survivors of mosque shooting call for maximum sentence - Action News
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Survivors of mosque shooting call for maximum sentence

Said El-Amari, one of the survivors of the Quebec City mosque shooting, says he is frightened by the thought his children could one day live in a society where Alexandre Bissonnette would walk freely.

Alexandre Bissonnette should never walk free, victims tell court

Said Akjour, like other survivors of the Quebec mosque shooting who testified on Tuesday, does not wish to see gunman Alexandre Bissonnette released from prison. (Maxime Corneau/Radio-Canada)

Said El-Amari says he is frightened by the thought his children could one day live in a society where Alexandre Bissonnette would walk freely.

"I am asking you, Your Honour, to do what is necessary so this does not happen," El-Amari told Quebec Superior Court Justice Franois Huoton Tuesday, on the fifth day of sentencing arguments for the Quebec City mosque shooter.

One of the six counts of attempted murder to whichBissonnettepleaded guilty was for El-Amari, who was in an induced coma for a full month after theJan. 29, 2017 attack.

Bissonnette also pleaded guilty in March to six counts of first-degree murder.

Huot must decide whether to sentence Bissonnette toconsecutive periods of parole ineligibility, which would mean he'd have to serve up to 150 years in prison before he couldapply to be freed.

His legal team is hoping the judge makes the six terms ofparole ineligibility concurrent, which would see Bissonnette eligible to apply for parole after 25 years.

El-Amari, who was shot in the abdomen and in the knee, has been present for every step of the sentencing hearing, seated in the middle of the courtroom, surrounded by friends.

He said every new piece of evidence presented by the Crown prosecutor has gutted him, as herealized there is "this kind of twisted individual living here in Quebec."

Said El-Amari was shot in the abdomen and the knee and was in an induced coma for a full month after the Jan. 29, 2017 attack. (Submitted)

El-Amari said seeing Bissonnette's collection of firearms photos of which were producedin court was also deeply disturbing.

"When I buy my children a water gun, I feel remorse. And to see people with a war arsenal in their home I can't understand," El-Amari told Huot.

On Tuesday, a report from Bissonnette's prison social worker revealed the 28-year-old gunman had wanted to carry out a mass murder since adolescenceand "wished he could have killed more."

Bissonnette has also said heregretted having done "something so senseless."

Rise in Islamophobia

El-Amari asked the judge to deliver a sentence that would serve as an example for anyone "who tries to attack the physical safety of those who choose to live in this society."

He also condemned the gradual rise in Islamophobia he has witnessed,from the driver's seat of his taxi,since 9/11.

Despite this, he said he never thought he'd see a terrorist attack in Quebec Cityor that he'd see one of his friends gunned down in front of him.

Another survivor, Sad Akjour, testified he also felt welcome in Quebecsince arrivingin 2007.

That all changedthe night he attended prayers at the Sainte-Foy mosque. The attack, whichlasted less than two minutes, felt like hours, Akjour said.

He recalled seeing a look of determination on Bissonnette's face.

"He carried out his crime cold-bloodedly, like he was playing a video game," he told Huot.

Abdelkrim Hassane, who was killed in the shooting, was described by his widow, Louiza Mohamed Said, as a loving father who likely thought of his three daughters during his final moments. (Submitted by Zahra Boukersi )

The 45-year-old only spoke the assailant's name once, when he told the judge he now hastrouble interacting with people named Alexandre, even if he knows they aren't guilty of anything.

Whether at the library, Tim Hortonsor a grocery store, he nowconstantly looks for an exit plan.

"I imagine all the scenarios. If there are children, I wonder how I can protect them," Akjour explained.

Like El-Amari, Akjour does not wish to see Bissonnette released from prison. He told reporters outside the courtroom that if the death penalty was still applicable in Canada, he would wish it would be applied.

"A person who takes away a life doesn't deserve to live," he said.

'Second death'

Louiza Mohamed Said, who also spoke Tuesday, was the first widow to explain how her husband's death has affected her lifeand the livesof her three daughters.

Reading from a prepared statement,she said that she had no intention of forgiving the man who "killed her life companion without mercy."

She described Abdelkrim Hassane as a loving fatherwho likely thought of his girls during his final moments.

"My younger daughter will have no memory of her father, and this so unfair. So unfair," she said.

Alexandre Bissonnette, seen here the day after the shooting, said he 'wished he could have killed more' people at the mosque, according to a prison social worker. (Sret du Qubec/Canadian Press)

Mohamed Said asked the judge to render a sentence that would clearly condemn terrorism and Islamophobia on Canadian soil.

She said Bissonnette's releasewould be a second death for the victims.

"I implore you, preserve the memory of our husbands," Mohamed Said said.

"Do everything that is in your power to prevent a drama like this from happening again, and may the one responsible for this serve as an example."

Sentencing hearings will continue in Quebec Superior Court on Wednesday.

Clarifications

  • A previous version of this story stated that Bissonnette is facing consecutive life sentences. In fact, he will only receive one life sentence at issue is whether the judge will decide to make his periods of parole ineligibility consecutive or concurrent.
    Feb 07, 2019 2:46 PM ET