“There is evidence that this was a planned and premeditated act, and the family was targeted because of their Muslim beliefs,” Waite said.

“This is a devastating loss for the four members of our community,” Police Chief Steve Williams added at an afternoon press conference.

At the request of the family, the names of the victims have not been announced.

The families of the victims are as follows:

• A 74-year-old woman.
• A 46-year-old man.
• A 44-year-old woman.
• A 15-year-old girl.

A nine-year-old boy was seriously injured and stayed in the hospital.

Police said the family was walking along Hyde Park Road at 8:40 p.m. Eastern Time. When they were waiting to cross an intersection in northwest London, the truck suddenly rushed to the side of the road and hit them.

The police received several 911 calls and emergency rescuers rushed to the scene to try to save the victim’s life.

The autopsy is scheduled to be performed at the Toronto Forensic Medicine Center on Tuesday.

Reaction to tragedy Communities and interest groups as well as politicians have poured in.

The Mayor of London, Ed Holder, expressed condolences to his family and the city’s Muslim community.

Watch | The Chief of Police speaks of obvious “premeditated” behavior:

He said: “This is a mass murder committed against Muslims-against Londoners-whose roots are unspeakable hatred.” “This unspeakable act of hatred, this kind of Islamophobia, must be accompanied by it. Acts of compassion, acts of kindness, acts of sympathy, acts of solidarity-justice-and most importantly love.”

Nawaz Tahir is a London lawyer who represents the Muslim community.

“These innocent people were killed just because they were Muslims,” ??he said.

“We will stand firm against hatred. We will stand firm against Islamophobia. We will stand firm against terror with faith, love and the pursuit of justice. Hatred will never conceal the light of love.”

No previous records

White said at a press conference that it is not certain whether the defendant is connected to any particular hate group.

The 20-year-old has no previous criminal record.

Watch | Imam Munir El-Kassem on the need to eliminate hatred:

Imam Munir El-Kassem of the Islamic Center in Southwestern Ontario told CBC News that after four members of the same family were killed in a hit and run, the hatred must be resolved, allegedly because of their Islamic beliefs. . 10:02

Wiltman was arrested not far from the crash site, on West Oxford Street and Cherry Hill Avenue, near the Cherry Hill Shopping Centre. White said he was wearing a vest that looked similar to a body armor.

The police did not disclose what Veltman said to the officers when he was arrested (if any), nor did they disclose why they thought he targeted their family members because of their beliefs.

But Holder said he wants people in the Muslim community to feel safe in London.

“Our love for our Muslim brothers and sisters in London is unwavering and unconditional. All Londoners benefit from your kindness and goodwill,” he said. “We are more than just a city. We are a community. We are a family. Therefore, we embrace you with our arms. We will grieve together, and our hearts will heal together.”

‘People running around’

At about 8:30 that evening, nearby resident Paige Martin drove to refuel. When she saw “a black light” speeding by, she stopped at the red light heading south and passed by Shook her vehicle at the time.

Watch | Witnesses described “chaos”:

Paige Martin, a resident of London, Ontario, told the media about the chaos that occurred after the fatal crash on Hyde Park Road on June 6, 2021. 1:35

She continued to walk to the gas station. On the way home, she saw in the rearview mirror that the cars on Sarnia Road had stopped and emergency vehicles had arrived one after another.

“It’s just chaos, people are running everywhere, citizens just want to direct the ambulance where to go. Someone is pointing, screaming and waving their arms. This is definitely something you never want to see,” said Martin.

Another nearby resident, Christine, did not want to disclose her last name due to privacy reasons. When the couple heard of the car accident, she was having dinner with her fiance at home. They ran out of the house to investigate, but she didn’t realize how serious the situation was until they saw the car starting to pull over.

During the police investigation, Hyde Park Road between Sarnia and Gainsborough Road was closed.

The police stated that they have set up a reporting hotline (519-661-5515, extension 5842) for the public to call. If they have any crime-related information, they can contact the fight crime hotline (1-800-222-TIPS). event.

Anyone affected by this incident can receive support, including:

Middlesex London Victim Service Center: 226-678-4631 or email [email protected]. Muslim Social Support and Integration Resource Center: 519-672-6000 ext. 309.