At least 10 people lost their lives and 15 sustained injuries after a man ploughed a white rental van into a crowd of pedestrians on a sidewalk in Canada’s biggest city Toronto.
Forensic police officers look at blood stains on the street from one of the victims after a truck drove up on the curb and hit several pedestrians in Toronto, Ontario on Monday. (Photo: AFP)
With incidents of police brutality and law enforcement misconduct growing at an alarming rate all over the world, a Canadian police officer, who responded to the van attack site, is being hailed for not shooting down the suspect.
At least 10 people lost their lives and 15 sustained injuries after a man ploughed a white rental van into a crowd of pedestrians on a sidewalk in Canada’s biggest city Toronto.
As per media reports, the Toronto police officer, who has not been named by the authorities, is being lauded for showing restraint even when the suspect claimed that he had a gun.
Advertisement
According to a video footage, which appeared on social media, the police officer can be seen asking the suspect to drop to the ground.
In the video, during the chase, the lone police officer while pointing a gun at the driver can be seen asking the suspect to surrender. However, the suspect told him that he had a gun.
As the police officer shouted: “Get down, get down or you will be shot,” the suspect said: “Kill me.” However, he soon surrendered.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took to Twitter to praise the exemplary courage displayed by the cop, he said, “The @TorontoPolice and first responders faced danger without hesitation today, and I want to thank them for their courage and professionalism. We’ll continue working with our law enforcement partners as the investigation continues”.
The @TorontoPolice and first responders faced danger without hesitation today, and I want to thank them for their courage and professionalism. We’ll continue working with our law enforcement partners as the investigation continues.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) April 24, 2018
Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Ralph Goodale also wrote on Twitter praising the Toronto Police and first responders.
“Grateful for the brave and professional response of @TorontoPolice and other first responders to the horrific attack at Yonge and Finch. Canadians are appalled at what happened. The victims and their families have our deepest condolences,” he tweeted.
Grateful for the brave and professional response of @TorontoPolice and other first responders to the horrific attack at Yonge and Finch. Canadians are appalled at what happened. The victims and their families have our deepest condolences.
— Ralph Goodale (@RalphGoodale) April 23, 2018
Van attack
The police have claimed that it was a “deliberate” attack. “The actions definitely looked deliberate,” Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders told media.
Though the act seemed “deliberate,” officials did not identify a terror link. Canada has rarely been the scene of terror attacks.
The incident occurred around 1.30 pm on Monday when the van driver mounted the sidewalk of city’s famous Yonge Street and ploughed over people enjoying the first sunny day of spring.
He sped over a two-kilometre stretch till his van hit a bus shelter. The van driver has been identified as 25-year-old Alek Minassian from the city outskirts Richmond Hill.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible incident at Yonge and Finch in Toronto. Thank you to the first responders working at the scene – we’re monitoring the situation closely.”
Advertisement
