Violent, One Family Killed In Anti-Islam Attack In Canada

Police Line Illustration. (Pixabay/ValynPi14)

JAKARTA - Four members of a Canadian Muslim family who were killed on Sunday when a pickup truck jumped over the pavement and crashed into them became the target of an anti-Islam hate crime, Canadian police said on Monday.

"There is evidence that this was a premeditated, premeditated, hate-motivated act," Detective Inspector Paul Waight of the London, Ontario police department, told reporters.

"It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslims," Waight said.

Police arrested the alleged attacker, Nathaniel Veltman, 20, on Sunday. Police said Veltman deliberately swerved his car off the highway, crossed the sidewalk and then hit the family, and then drove fast.

Eye witness Paige Martin told reporters a black truck passed her and ran a red light as she walked and then she arrived at the scene.

"It's really like something you never want to see," he said.

Veltman, described as a resident of London, Ontario, Canada has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one attempted murder. He will appear in court on Thursday after being returned to custody on Monday.

Police have not released the names of the victims, but the London Free Press said that among the dead were Syed Afzaal, 46, his wife, Madiha Salman, 44, and their 15-year-old daughter, Yumnah Afzaal. Syed Afzaal's 74-year-old mother, whose name has not been confirmed, also died. Their 9-year-old son, Faez Afzaal, is in hospital with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Terrorism accusations

The attack was the worst against Canadian Muslims since a man shot dead six members of a Quebec City mosque in 2017. London Mayor Ed Holder said it was the worst mass murder his city has ever seen.

"We mourn the family, three generations of whom have now died. This was an act of mass murder, perpetrated against Muslims, against the citizens of London, and rooted in unspeakable hatred," he growled.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter he was 'horrified' by the news, adding "Islamophobia has no place in our community. This hate is dangerous and despicable and it must stop."

Waight said police in London were consulting with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and prosecutors about the possibility of bringing terrorism charges.

"This is a terrorist attack on Canadian soil and it should be treated as such," said Mustafa Farooq, head of the Canadian Muslim National Council.

"There are some very, very scared people out there," said Mayor Holder.

London, which has about 400,000 residents, has a large Muslim community and Holder says Arabic is the second most widely spoken language after English in the city.