June 15, 2021: The suspect in custody for murdering a Pakistani origin Muslim family in Ontario London is facing charges of terrorism for deliberately mowing down the family with his truck.
The charges come after the assassination of the family was declared by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as “a hateful terrorist attack”. A 20-year-old Canadian murder suspect is now facing terrorism charges after he allegedly drove a truck into a Muslim family earlier this month, prosecutors said Monday. A 46-year-old man, his 44-year-old wife, their 15-year-old daughter and a 74-year-old grandmother were killed in an attack on a family of Pakistani descent in London, Ontario, on a June 6 evening walk. The couple’s nine-year-old son narrowly escaped the attack, although he was seriously injured.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said in a statement that the federal and provincial attorneys general had agreed to initiate a terrorist operation, alleging that the killings and attempted murders were also acts of terrorism. Authorities say the alleged culprit, Nathaniel V. Had carried out the killing on purpose and was targeting Muslims. Nathaniel V faces four counts of first-degree murder in addition to terrorism charges.
The perpetrator also faces a count of attempted murder. The accused has no criminal background or known affiliation with extremist groups. He told the court on Monday that he did not have a lawyer yet. He is due to appear in court again on June 21.
Top Canadian leaders have condemned the attack. The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, recently told the House of Commons that the killings were “a hateful terrorist attack” in the heart of one of our communities. Deputy Prime Minister Christiaan Freeland responded by saying, “It’s really important for us to call it terrorism … and it’s important for us to identify the threat posed by White supremacy to Canada and to Canada.”
Advocacy groups for the National Council of Muslims of Canada (NCCM) have called the new allegations “a significant step forward”. “We will never be intimidated by terrorism and Islamophobia,” the NCCM added.
Canada has experienced anti-Muslim violence in the past. In 2017, a 27-year-old man opened fire on worshipers at a Quebec City mosque, killing six and injuring five.
Stay tuned to BaaghiTV for latest news and Updates!
