A van speeds across Toronto sidewalks, leaving 10 pedestrians dead
(CNN)Ten people are dead and 15 are injured after the driver of a van plowed into multiple pedestrians in Toronto on Monday in what appears to be a deliberate act, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders said.
Saunders said the suspected driver, Alek Minassian, 25, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, was in custody. Minassian was arrested in a white rental van less than 30 minutes after police received a 911 call, Saunders said.
Minassian was previously known to Toronto authorities, according to a US law enforcement official briefed on the matter. Authorities said Minassian left a trail of destruction nearly a mile long, north of midtown Toronto.
Deputy Police Chief Peter Yuen said police received calls around 1:30 p.m. that a vehicle was driving on Yonge Street, striking pedestrians. Police said the collisions happened in the North York area at the busy intersection of Yonge Street and Finch Avenue.
"Based on witness accounts, we have a vehicle that started north on Yonge Street from Finch and drove southbound at some point in times on sidewalks, at some point in times driving southbound in northbound lanes," Saunders said.
Saunders added: "So, it's very clear just from a general perspective to say that the actions definitely look deliberate."
At this point, "There would appear to be no national security connection" to the incident, said Ralph Goodale, Canada's minister of public safety and emergency preparedness.
Ten patients were transported to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and two were declared dead at the hospital, said Dr. Dan Cass, executive vice-president and chief medical officer.
Cass said the patients suffered a range of injuries.
Van stops, driver arrested
First reports of collision
Map data ©2018 Google
500 m
Mayor: Incident is 'not representative of how we live'
"This is a time when the community should come together," said Toronto Mayor John Tory, who praised first responders.
Tory said he hopes Toronto remembers it is a city of inclusion.
"This kind of tragic incident is not representative of how we live or who we are ... or anything to do with life in this city on a day-to-day basis," Tory said.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered his condolences to the families of the victims. Calling it a "tragic and senseless attack," he thanked first responders. They "faced danger without hesitation, and their efforts no doubt saved lives and prevented further injuries," he said.
"We should all feel safe walking in our cities and communities," Trudeau said. "We are monitoring this situation closely, and will continue working with our law enforcement partners around the country to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians."
The White House echoed the sentiments, saying in a statement that the United States "stands with the Canadian people in the aftermath of today's tragic event."
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those affected, and we wish a full recovery to those injured," the statement said. "The United States Government pledges to provide any support Canada may need."
In recent years, individuals have driven vehicles into crowds of pedestrians in fatal attacks in major cities including Barcelona, New York, London and Nice, France.
Chelsea Luelo, who works at Capriccio Café, saw the incident unfold in Toronto, and said she thought the driver was hitting people intentionally.
"It looked like he was going straight, halfway through the sidewalk," Luelo said.
Jonathan Mayor, a spokesman for Ryder, said the incident involved one of the company's rental vans.
"We take the safety and security related to the use of our entire fleet very seriously and we are cooperating fully with authorities," Mayor said in an email to CNN.
News Courtesy: www.cnn.com
