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The Canadian government has condemned the "targeted" killing of four members of a Muslim family by a pick-up driver in the city of London in Ontario province.
Two women, one man and a teenaged girl were killed when they went out for a walk and the pick-up truck hit them. A nine-year-old boy is in hospital with serious injuries.
Police said the killings were premeditated as the 20-year-old driver, identified as Nathaniel Veltman, was wearing a vest that looked like body armour.
Veltman could face terrorism charges even though he has already been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one attempted murder.
"We believe this was an intentional act. The victims were targeted because of their adherence to the Islamic faith," said the city's police chief.
“I’m horrified by the news from London, Ontario. To the loved ones of those who were terrorised 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.”Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sympathising with the Muslim community of Canada, he said: "We stand with you. Islamophobia has no place in any of our communities. This hate is insidious and despicable and it must stop."
London city Mayor Ed Holder called the incident "an act of mass murder, perpetrated against Muslims, against Londoners, and was rooted in unspeakable hatred".
Meanwhile, Toronto Mayor John Tory announced the decision to dim the ‘Toronto Sign’ on Monday night to mourn the three generations of one family targeted and murdered because of their Islamic faith and to stand in solidarity with the Muslim community.
He added that the city stood with the Muslim community in London and here in Toronto in the face of this tragedy. “We absolutely reject the hatred and Islamophobia that led to this deadly violence," he said.
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