London, ON (WNews) – Four members of a London, Ont., the family who was struck and killed by a vehicle in the city’s northwest Sunday evening are believed to have been targeted because they were Muslim, the area’s police chief says.
“We believe this was an intentional act and that the victims of this horrific incident were targeted,” Chief Steve Williams told reporters during a news conference Monday afternoon.
“We believe the victims were targeted because of their Islamic faith.”
Williams called Sunday’s attack a “devastating loss” for the community.
“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 said.
It was Sunday evening at around 8:40 p.m. when Det. Supt. Paul Waight said emergency crews were called to Hyde Park and South Carriage roads, south of Gainsborough Road. He said it’s alleged the driver of a black pick-up truck drove south on Hyde Park Road, mounted the sidewalk and struck the family members.
Here's London Police confirming that they believe the four pedestrians struck and killed by a vehicle in that city yesterday were targeted because of their Islamic faith and this was an "intentional act." pic.twitter.com/nhMynPBc1P
— Courtney Theriault (@cspotweet) June 7, 2021
Waight said the vehicle took off southbound “at a high rate of speed.” Approximately five minutes later, he said the driver stopped the vehicle at Cherryhill Village Mall at Cherryhill Boulevard and Oxford Street West, which is roughly a six-kilometre drive away from the scene.
Police subsequently arrested the accused. Waight said the suspect was wearing “a vest that appeared to be like body armour” at the time of his arrest.
“There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act motivated by hate. It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslim,” Waight said.
“There is no known previous connection between the suspect and the victims.”
A 74-year-old woman died at the scene, according to police. A 44-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl, were rushed to hospital by paramedics, but they later died of their injuries. Family members requested that the names of the victims be withheld due to privacy reasons.
A nine-year-old boy related to the deceased was also taken to hospital, where he is being treated for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
20-year-old London resident Nathaniel Veltman, the accused, has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder from the attack. He appeared at court vis audio link on Monday and expects to make another scheduled court appearance on Thursday.
MEDIA RELEASE: #LdnOnt Mayor Ed Holder’s Statement on Hyde Park Tragedy pic.twitter.com/51LrmRGiha
— Ed Holder (@ldnontmayor) June 7, 2021
The London Mayor released a statement saying that our hearts are broken.
London Mayor Ed Holder: “Words fail on a day as dark as this. Our hearts are broken.” Flags at city hall will be half-mast for three days. Wants everyone to know, London is a safe community.
