Four members of a Muslim family were killed in a “premeditated” vehicle attack on Sunday, Canadian police say.
The alleged attack took place in the city of London, Ontario province. A boy aged nine, the family’s only survivor, is in hospital with serious injuries.
A 20-year-old Canadian man has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.
The attack was the worst against Canadian Muslims since six people were killed in a Quebec City mosque in 2017.
“It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslim,” Detective Superintendent Paul Waight told a news conference on Monday.
Police are weighing possible terrorism charges, he said, adding that it is believed to be a hate crime.
What are the details?
The victims were two women – aged 74 and 44 – a 46-year-old man and a 15-year-old girl. They have not been named, in accordance with the wishes of the family. A nine-year-old boy was in hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries, said police.
Police named the alleged attacker as Nathanial Veltman, 20, of London, Ontario. He was arrested without incident at a shopping centre about 6km (4.8 miles) from the crime scene.
It is not yet known if the suspect has ties to any hate groups, said Det Supt Waight.
“There is no known previous connection between the suspect and the victims,” Det Supt Waight said, adding that the suspect was wearing a vest that appeared to be “like body armour”.
Officials added that there was good weather and high visibility conditions when the black truck was seen mounting the kerb on Hyde Park Road at around 20:40 local time on Sunday.
One eyewitness told CTV News she had to shield her young daughter’s eyes from the bodies.
Another witness told CTV the scene was “just chaos”.
“There were people everywhere and running,” said Paige Martin. “Citizens were trying to direct the emergency vehicles where to go. There was a lot of pointing and screaming and arm waving.”
A 2016 census found that London – a city about 200km southwest of Toronto – is growing increasingly diverse. One in five people was born outside of Canada, with Arabs being the area’s largest minority group, and South Asians coming in a close second.
What has the reaction been?
Ontario Premier Doug Ford was among those who paid tribute to the victims, tweeting: “Hate and Islamophobia have NO place in Ontario.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he was “horrified” by the news.
“To the loved ones of those who were terrorised by yesterday’s act of hatred, we are here for you,” he wrote.
Hate and Islamophobia have NO place in Ontario. Justice must be served for the horrific act of hatred that took place in London, Ontario yesterday.
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends during this difficult time. These heinous acts of violence must stop.
— Doug Ford (@fordnation) June 7, 2021
I’m horrified by the news from London, Ontario. To the loved ones of those who were terrorized by yesterday’s act of hatred, we are here for you. We are also here for the child who remains in hospital – our hearts go out to you, and you will be in our thoughts as you recover.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 7, 2021
“This was an act of mass murder, perpetrated against Muslims, against Londoners, and rooted in unspeakable hatred,” said London Mayor Ed Holder.
In a statement, Mayor Holder said he was speaking “on behalf of all Londoners when I say our hearts are broken”.
“We grieve for the family, three generations of whom are now deceased.”
The mayor’s statement added that he had ordered flags outside London City Hall to be lowered for three days of mourning.
The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) said in a statement that the attacker should face terrorism charges.
“A man allegedly got in his car, saw a Muslim family walking down the street, and made the decision that they do not deserve to live,” said the organisation’s CEO Mustafa Farooq.
“He did not know them. This is a terrorist attack on Canadian soil, and should be treated as such,” his statement continued.
Nawaz Tahir, a London lawyer and representative of the Muslim community, said during the police news conference: “These were innocent human beings who were killed simply because they were Muslim.”
“We will stand strong against Islamophobia. We will stand strong against terror with faith, with love, and a quest for justice,” he continued.
“Hate will never overshadow the light of love.”
Kilo Lazer officially steps into a new chapter with the release of his debut album, From the Mud a body of work that captures his journey, resilience, consistency, and undeniable growth.
Rooted in experience and shaped by the realities of coming from the bottom, From the Mud tells Kilo Lazer’s story through raw energy, honest storytelling, and a sound that reflects how far he has come.
More than a debut, the album is a testament to staying the course, trusting the process, and turning struggle into purpose.
Kilo Lazer’s From the Mud is out now on all major streaming platforms.
Multi-hyphenate artist, selector, and creative director Queen Petite is ushering in a bold, uninhibited era for global African music with the release of her brand-new single and self-engineered genre movement, “Ikapiano Pop.” Marking her second major genre innovation following her pioneering creation of Dembowpiano, the Nigeria-London based powerhouse continues to push global dancefloors into uncharted territory off the momentum of her standout projects PETITENESS and REBEL BLACK SHEEP.
Guided by her background behind the decks, Queen Petite’s work is driven by an instinctual command of room energy, seamless transitions, and dancefloor mechanics. Ikapiano Pop stands as a textured, high-octane fusion that layers trunk-rattling Miami basslines and crisp hip-hop drums over the hypnotic, swinging log-drums of Afropiano. Grounding this international production is her native heritage: the vocals are written and performed entirely in the Ika dialect, native to the South-South region of Nigeria, proving that raw, local storytelling holds universal cross-border appeal.
“Creating new sounds is second nature to me—first with Dembowpiano, and now stepping into my second genre creation with IKAPIANO POP,” states Queen Petite. “I didn’t start with an existing box and add my name to it; I built the blueprint from scratch. Being a DJ taught me how to read energy, and I wanted to construct something that feels incredible whether you’re listening in headphones or in a packed arena. It brings together my African identity, global influences, and pop accessibility so people feel free, confident, and unstoppable.”
Captured during an intense burst of inspiration, the track was recorded at London’s Hot Money Studios alongside engineer Patrick, with Queen Petite personally directing her Nigerian producer over the phone to execute the exact rhythmic blueprint in her mind. More than just a single release, Ikapiano Pop represents a long-term global movement set to anchor her upcoming DJ sets and live performances across the UK, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Described in three words as Free, Vibrant, and Unstoppable, “Ikapiano Pop” is available now on all major streaming platforms.
Watch the Official Music Video for “Ikapiano Pop”
Blow Money Records proudly announces the release of “Jẹjẹ,” the latest single and official music video from Nigerian Afro-fusion artist Temmy Dreddz.
Produced by the talented OxDBeat and visually brought to life by Kore Culture with breathtaking scenes filmed in South Africa, Jẹjẹ is a refreshing Afrobeats record that celebrates love, patience, hope, and the beauty of embracing life’s journey one step at a time.
More than just a song, Jẹjẹ delivers a powerful message in a world driven by urgency. Inspired by the Yoruba expression jẹjẹ, meaning gently or take it easy, the record reminds listeners that meaningful progress, genuine love, and lasting success are built with patience, consistency, and faith in the process.
Complementing the song is a visually captivating music video that blends cinematic storytelling with vibrant African scenery, perfectly reflecting the warmth, emotion, and uplifting spirit of the record. Shot against the stunning landscapes of South Africa, the video enhances the song’s message while showcasing Temmy Dreddz’s artistic identity on a global stage.
Speaking on the release, Temmy Dreddz describes Jẹje.
With this release, Temmy Dreddz continues to establish himself as one of the emerging voices in contemporary African music, delivering authentic stories through infectious melodies and relatable songwriting.
“Jẹjẹ” and its official music video are now available on all major digital streaming platforms and YouTube worldwide.
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