Prominent Islamic State (IS, ISIL, or ISIS) cheerleaders on Twitter celebrated the fatal shooting of a Canadian soldier Wednesday, hailing it as just retribution for the country’s decision to join the fight against the Middle Eastern terror group.
While it remained unclear late Wednesday what the motivation of the gunman—identified as Canadian-born Michael Zehaf-Bibeau, 32—was, IS backers wasted no time in praising his murder of the soldier and subsequent shooting at Canada’s parliament.
Multiple Twitter users known for their pro-jihadist rhetoric celebrated the violent attack and warned that IS will wage war on any country that opposes it.
"My sympathy goes out to all the victims by Canadian F16s. They themselves have brought the war home!" one user identifying himself as Abu Zarqawi tweeted shortly after the attack.
The tweet, like others praising the murder, was retweeted many times by others. Another IS backer identifying himself as Muthanna al-Kanadi was "laughing out loud" over the deadly attack. "Another Shooting in Canada," al-Kanadi wrote. "This time inside the Pariliament [sic] building...and they wanted to bomb Iraq and Syriaa [sic]… lolllll [laughing out loud]," he tweeted.
Another Shooting in Canada...... This time inside the Pariliament building... and they wanted to bomb Iraq and Syriaa.. lolllll — Muthanna al-Kanadi (@Muthanna88) October 22, 2014
Yet another pro-IS Twitter user who identifies himself as Abu Talha Al Muhajir and claims to be "amongst the Islamists in Sham," or the Islamic State, said that attack was "expected."
"After Canada decided to Bomb & murder muslims, Supposedly just few bullets shook all of #Canada. Expected wasn’t it?" Muhajir tweeted.
The Canadian Parliament’s decision to join the U.S. and other countries in the battle against IS sparked the attack, some claimed.
"Oct 7: Canadian MPs [Members of Parliament] voted to bomb #IS, Oct 22: Attack on Parliament," tweeted another IS sympathizer named "mujahid" who included the hashtags, "Ottowa" and "Canada."
Oct 7: Canadian MPs voted to bomb #IS, Oct 22: Attack on Parliament. #Ottowa #canada pic.twitter.com/vxaYObsNyl
— Mujahid (@AbuYahya21) October 22, 2014
Many signaled that the shooting was a form of retribution.
"Bomb innocent people in Syria/Iraq and you expect roses and hugs from Muslims back home? It’s called action/reaction. Go figure," tweeted yet another IS backer named Israfil Yilmaz as events unfolded Wednesday afternoon.
"Canada getting a taste of their own medicine?" wrote Yilmaz, who has had his multiple Twitter accounts disabled in the past for his pro-terror tweets.
Both messages were retweeted numerous times.
"Canadian politicians who voted for war against the Islamic #Khilafah now in terror during todays #IS attack in Canada," wrote user AbuUmar8246.
Canadian politicians who voted for war against the Islamic #Khilafah now in terror during todays #IS attack in Canada pic.twitter.com/4zAvXrOblU — AbuUmar8246 (@Abu_Umar8246) October 22, 2014
Another user identified as Abu Saeed AlHalabi said Canadians should not be shocked by the attack.
"It's always stunning when a country that has brought violence and military force to numerous countries acts shocked & bewildered," he wrote.
Zehaf-Bibeau was reportedly killed after he fired shots inside the Parliament.
The shooting happened near a room where Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper was giving a speech, Reuters reported.
"PM [Harper] was addressing caucus, then a huge boom, followed by rat-a-tat shots. We all scattered. It was clearly right outside our caucus door," Treasury Board Minister Tony Clement was reported as saying by Reuters.
The Parliament was placed on lockdown and citizens of Ottawa were ordered to stay inside until the situation was resolved.
Late Wednesday, authorities had still not ruled out the involvement of more people in the shooting, according to CNN.
The attack occurred two days after a terror attack in Quebec.