A commissionaire for the Victoria Coast Guard has been suspended with pay after allegedly posting threatening comments on Facebook directed at a new mosque.
On the Facebook page “I Love Downtown Victoria,” someone who identified as Dan Speed commented on a post that mentioned a new mosqueset to open in Victoriain November.
“That’s not good… Blast it with an 84 mm Carl Gustaf,” he wrote in one post, referring to an anti-tank artillery capable of firing explosives.
The posts, which have since been removed, also mentioned an issue with “noise pollution for that neighbourhood,” apparently referring to the Muslim prayer schedule. His final comment was “A call to Alah (sic).”
According to the poster’s Facebook profile, he is a former military member.
John Dewar, CEO of Commissionaires BC, confirmed that the individual who made the post is currently working as a Commissionaire for the Canadian Coast Guard base in Victoria, and has been suspended with pay as police investigate the postings.
The individual has expressed remorse for his comments, Dewar added.
Const. Mike Russell said police are investigating any potential risks and are in contact with affected communities.
“Anytime these comments surface it’s seen as a surprise for us. That’s why we’re launching this investigation; to make sure that everybody’s going to be safe,” said Russell.
The posts follow several recent attacks on Muslims in America. Azhar Omarjee , chair of the B.C. Association of Muslims’ Victoria Branch, called the postings scary.
“Based on the situations in the past, it is a little bit scary to see someone that had military training say something like that,” said Omarjee.
Police expect to release more information on the case later this week.
With a report from CTV Vancouver Island’s Stephen Andrew
