The Father Of Muslim Family Crash Suspect In Canada Feels Sad And Horrified

Illustration. (Pixabay/ValynPi14)

JAKARTA - The suspect in the anti-Muslim hate crime that killed a Muslim family in a pickup truck in London, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, June 6, has been brought to an online court.

The suspect Nathaniel Veltman was arrested shortly after the incident in the parking lot of a London, Ontario mall, not far from the city's oldest mosque. He was wearing what appeared to be a body armor vest and helmet at the time, police said.

The father, Mark Veltman said he was shocked, saddened, and horrified to learn that his son had committed a crime that resulted in dead victims while expressing condolences to the victims and their families.

"It is with great shock and horror that I hear of the unspeakable crimes committed last weekend," Mark Veltman said in an email.

"There are not enough words to express my deep sorrow for the victims of this senseless act," he added.

Yesterday's trial took place online with Veltman only 5 minutes away. There were no details from yesterday's trial, due to a publication ban. However, it is stated that the next trial will be held next week.

The plan, Veltman will return to court on Monday to face charges that are not kidding, namely four counts of first-degree murder and one attempted murder.

Meanwhile, police say they have not found Veltman's ties to any hate groups. However, police are still carrying out investigations and terror charges are being considered.

London Police Chief Steve Williams told the Canadian Broadcasting Corp that restrictions on the publication of information were aimed at ensuring the integrity of the judicial process.

"We have to protect information to ensure that the litigation is not tarnished by anything we do or say at this time," Williams said.

Four members of a Muslim family spanning three generations were killed when a truck hit them while they were taking an afternoon stroll near their home. The fifth family member, a 9-year-old boy, is still hospitalized with serious injuries.

"The front of the pickup truck was badly damaged and covered in blood", said Hasan Savehilaghi, president of a taxi company, recounting details provided by one of its drivers who was at the scene of the arrest.

On Tuesday, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the killing a "terrorist attack" and vowed to clamp down on far-right groups and online hate.

Few details about Veltman's life are revealed. It is known that he worked part-time at an egg packaging factory in Strathroy, Ontario, near London. Neighbors at his apartment in central London said he was often heard playing video games at high volume late at night, the London Free Press reports.

Sunday's incident was the worst attack on Canadian Muslims since a man shot dead six worshipers at a Quebec City mosque in 2017.