Four members of the same family in London, Ontario, who were struck and killed by a vehicle in the city’s northwest Sunday evening are believed to have been targeted because they were Muslim, police chief said on Monday.
“I’m also able to tell you at this time that based on information collected during the course of the investigation, we believe that this was an intentional act and that the victims of this horrific incident were targeted,” London Police Chief Stephen Williams told reporters Monday. “We believe the victims were targeted because of their Islamic faith.” “We understand that this event may cause fear and anxiety in the community and in particular the Muslim community and any community targeted by hate. I want to reassure all Londoners that all of us on the call today and many others stand with you and support you,” he added.
Police said that at 8:40 p.m. ET on Sunday, the family was walking along Hyde Park Road and were waiting to cross the intersection, in northwest London, when the truck mounted the curb and struck them.
Police received several 911 calls, and emergency crews quickly attended to the scene in an attempt to save the lives of the victims.
Four members of the family died from their injuries: a 74 year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, and a 15-year-old girl. A nine-year-old boy is the sole survivor and remains in hospital with serious injuries.
Terrorism charges are also possible against Nathaniel Veltman, 20, of London, said Det.-Insp. Paul Waight at a news conference. Veltman appeared in court via video link Monday afternoon.
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