Canada suspect charged with terrorism for attack on Muslim family
Canada suspect charged with terrorism for attack on Muslim family
Four members of the same family, including a 15-year-old girl, were killed while out for a walk last week.
1 min read
A nine-year-old boy survived the attack with serious injuries [Getty]
Prosecutors laid terrorism charges Monday against a accused of driving down and four members of a Muslim family in London, Ontario.
The prosecution said Nathaniel Veltman’s four counts of first-degree murder constitute an act of and prosecutors have upgraded those charges under 's criminal code. Police allege the incident was a planned and attack targeting Muslims.
Veltman also faces one count of attempted murder due to terrorism activity.
The upgraded charges were laid as Veltman made a brief court appearance via video Monday morning. He has yet to enter a plea.
Salman Afzaal, 46, his 44-year-old wife Madiha Salman, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna and her 74-year-old grandmother, Talat Afzaal were killed while out for an evening walk on June 6.
The couple’s nine-year-old son, Fayez, was seriously injured but is expected to recover.
Saboor Khan, a friend of the family, said upgrading the charges against Veltman was "the right thing to do".
"The family and the community has been terrorized and many of us are afraid to leave our homes," Khan said.
A funeral for the family drew hundreds of mourners to the Islamic Centre of Southwest Ontario over the weekend.
Veltman’s next court date is scheduled for June 21.
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