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Ottawa gunman ‘had history of criminal offences, unstable mind’

OTTAWA — Details emerged yesterday of suspected Ottawa gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau’s history of criminal offences, while some friends who spoke to the media said he had an unstable mind.

A photo purportedly of Michael Zehaf-Bibeau that was first posted on the #ISIS Twitter account, which has been suspended. PHOTO: @ArmedResearch/Twitter

A photo purportedly of Michael Zehaf-Bibeau that was first posted on the #ISIS Twitter account, which has been suspended. PHOTO: @ArmedResearch/Twitter

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OTTAWA — Details emerged yesterday of suspected Ottawa gunman Michael Zehaf-Bibeau’s history of criminal offences, while some friends who spoke to the media said he had an unstable mind.

The 32-year-old is said to have been a convert to Islam. Canadian media yesterday reported that Zehaf-Bibeau was originally born in the French-speaking city of Quebec in Montreal as Michael Joseph Hall, but later changed his name.

The Globe and Mail newspaper, citing sources, said he was recently designated a “high-risk traveller” by the Canadian government — meaning it was feared he would travel abroad to commit crimes — and that his passport had been seized.

The Canadian Broadcasting Corp (CBC) reported that Zehaf-Bibeau had a criminal history of offences that included robbery and drug possession.

Quebec court records show three 2004 cases involving a Michael Zehaf-Bibeau. That year, he pleaded guilty to two drug-related offences and one charge of failing to comply with a judge’s order.

CBC also reported that in 2011, Zehaf-Bibeau was charged with robbery and uttering threats in Vancouver. He was pronounced guilty for uttering threats and was sentenced to a day in jail. His father, Mr Bulgasem Zehaf, was originally from Libya and ran a café in Montreal. His mother, Ms Susan Bibeau, worked at Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board. Reports said they were divorced in 1999.

Ms Bibeau yesterday told the AP in a brief and tear-filled telephone call that she was devastated for the victims of the shooting.

“If I’m crying, it’s for the people,” she said, struggling to hold back tears. “Not for my son.”

One victim was killed and two other people were wounded in the attacks at the city’s war memorial and parliament. She said she did not know what to say to those hurt in the attack. “Can you ever explain something like this?” she said. “We are sorry.”

Ms Bibeau and her husband had earlier sent the AP a lengthy email expressing horror and sadness at what happened.

“I am mad at my son,’’ the email said, explaining that he seemed lost “and did not fit in”. “I, his mother, spoke with him last week over lunch, I had not seen him for over five years before that,’’ the email added. “So I have very little insight to offer.’’

Meanwhile, Mr Dave Bathurst — who became friends with Zehaf-Bibeau when they met in a mosque three years ago — said he was shocked by the news that his friend could be involved as his friend did not appear to have any “extremist” views.

Mr Bathurst said they last met six weeks ago, when the suspect told him he was planning to go to Libya to study Islam and Arabic —plans which appeared to have been quashed after the passport seizure.

Mr Bathurst said Zehaf-Bibeau’s behaviour was sometimes unstable. He told the Globe and Mail his friend was stopped from performing prayers at the mosque they attended because of his erratic behaviour.

“We were having a conversation in a kitchen, and I don’t know how he worded it: He said the devil is after him,” Mr Bathurst said. “I think he must have been mentally ill.” AGENCIES

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