Winnipeg police investigating shooting of mosque, home as possible hate crime
Posted July 30, 2026 1:20 pm.
Last Updated July 31, 2026 6:28 pm.
Winnipeg police’s (WPS) hate crime unit is investigating after shots were fired at a mosque Wednesday evening.
On Friday, WPS said that its investigation has revealed that an airsoft or a pellet-style gun was used in the incident.
Investigators said that in addition to the attack on Rahma Islamic Centre, a home in the 500 block of Roberta Avenue was also targeted by similar weapons causing damages to the windows.
“Due to the proximity and time frame of both incidents, investigators are attempting to determine if the incidents are related,” WPS said in a press release Friday.
Leaders at a mosque in Winnipeg say shots were fired at the building while community members were gathered inside on Wednesday evening, calling the incident a “disturbing attack.”
Winnipeg’s Rahma Islamic Centre alleges two individuals fired shots at the mosque before breaking the building’s glass “with another weapon.” Police described it as an “unknown object,” adding the suspect vehicle then fled south on Watt Street.
“Thankfully, they were unable to enter the premises, and no one was injured,” the mosque said in a social media post.
Damage to the glass of the centre’s windows and door could be seen Thursday afternoon.
WPS police say officers were passing by around 11:30 p.m. when they spotted freshly broken windows.
“Multiple windows were shattered with damages estimated at over $3,000,” WPS Const. Claude Chancy told CityNews.
The Rahma Islamic Centre also alleges the same individuals shouted racial slurs at people gathered at the centre earlier in the day.
“This attack has deeply shaken our volunteers, community, children, and staff. Our centre exists to provide a place of community, belonging, and peace. To have that sense of safety violated by what appear to be deliberate acts of violence is profoundly disturbing.”
Winnipeg police confirm they received an earlier report about a vehicle driving by the centre “while shouting racially derogatory names at patrons.”
No suspects have been identified and no arrests have been made, police add.
Authorities say they will increase their presence and patrols in and around the Rahma Islamic Centre and other mosques within the area.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) says there is security footage of the incident.
“This is yet another example of almost daily violent Islamophobic attacks for the past few weeks across Canada,” the Muslim civil liberties group wrote in a brief news release.
On Friday posting on X, Winnipeg Centre MP Leah Gazan called for a national strategy to combat the rise in hate crimes in the country.
“My heart is with them and the Winnipeg Muslim community after the horrific shooting at Rahma Islamic Centre on Wednesday evening,” Gazan said.
“All levels of government must commit to concrete action in response to the rising levels of hate crimes we’ve witnessed in our communities,” she added. “We need urgent and real action to protect the dignity and security of all people.”
–With files from Sofia Frolova
