Suspect in 'hate-motivated' attack on Canadian mosque has been identified

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A 24-year-old man who brandished a hatchet and assaulted worshippers with bear spray at a mosque in Canada on Saturday has been charged in what is believed to be a "hate-motivated incident," authorities said.

The attack unfolded just before 7 a.m. during dawn prayer at the Dar Al-Tawheed Islamic Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Peel Regional Police said.

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The man, identified as Mohammad Moiz Omar, a 24-year-old man from Mississauga, walked into the mosque and allegedly "discharged bear spray towards people in the mosque while brandishing a hatchet," authorities said in a news release.

Superintendent Rob Higgs, Commander of 12 Division Peel Regional Police, provides an update Saturday following an attack at a local Mississauga Mosque.  (Peel Regional Police)

About 20 men were praying at the mosque when Omar sprayed them, Nadia Hasan, of the National Council of Canadian Muslims, said on behalf of the mosque.

"Some of the men turned around and they very bravely decided that they were not going to let him attack them," she said. "They tackled him to the ground and apprehended him until the police showed up."

Police said worshippers suffered minor injuries from the bear spray.

Omar faces multiple charges including assault with a weapon, administering a noxious substance with intent to endanger life or cause bodily harm, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, utter threat to cause death or bodily harm, carrying a concealed weapon and mischief to religious property.

Canadian Prime Minister Justice Trudeau condemned the attack in a Twitter post, calling it "incredibly disturbing."

"I strongly condemn this violence — which has no place in Canada — and I’m keeping the community in my thoughts today," Trudeau wrote. "I also want to applaud the courage of those who were there this morning."

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Ontario Premier Doug Ford also condemned the violence and applauded the heroism of the congregants.

"There is NO place in our province for such evil and hateful acts," Ford tweeted. "We must ensure those responsible are brought to justice."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.