In a shocking turn of events, four members of a Muslim family were killed in a ‘premeditated’ vehicle attack on Sunday in Canada. The attack took place in the city of London, Ontario province.
The family’s only survivor, a nine-year-old boy is in hospital with serious injuries. The victims were two women – aged 74 and 44 – a 46-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl. Their identities have not been revealed, in accordance with the wishes of the family.
According to the police of Canada, the suspect is identified as 20-year-old Nathaniel Veltman. It is being said that this was a planned hate crime against the Muslim family.
“There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate. We believe the victims were targeted because of their Islamic faith,” Detective Superintendent Paul Waight of the London police department told reporters.
The suspect has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder. This was the worst attack against Canadian Muslims since the Quebec City mosque attack of 2017, where six people were killed.
Local residents were in shock after the attack and many set up a makeshift memorial for the victims at the scene of the attack. Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also paid tributes to the victims, tweeting:
“I’m horrified by the news from London, Ontario. To the loved ones of those who were terrorized by yesterday’s act of hatred, we are here for you. We are also here for the child who remains in hospital – our hearts go out to you, and you will be in our thoughts as you recover.”
I’m horrified by the news from London, Ontario. To the loved ones of those who were terrorized by yesterday’s act of hatred, we are here for you. We are also here for the child who remains in hospital – our hearts go out to you, and you will be in our thoughts as you recover.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 7, 2021
