Man who killed 4 members of Muslim family in London, Ont. given 5 life sentences in prison
A London, Ont. judge has handed down her sentence in the case of Nathaniel Veltman, convicted of killing four members of a Muslim family and seriously injuring a young boy in June of 2021.
Veltman, 23, was found guilty in November of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder for hitting the Afzaal family with his truck while they were out for a walk on June 6, 2021.
Talat Afzaal, 74, her son Salman, 46, his wife Madiha, 44, and their 15-year-old daughter Yumnah were all killed while their then nine-year-old son was seriously injured.
Justice Renee Pomerance ruled Thursday that Veltman’s actions “constitutes terrorist activity.”
Pomerance gave Veltman four life sentences for the deaths of four members of the Afzaal family. She also delivered a life sentence for the attempted murder conviction of the Afzaal’s then nine-year-old son, bringing the total to five life sentences in prison.
An offender serving life for first-degree murder is eligible for full parole 25 years after the date they were taken into custody, which was June 6, 2021.
Addressing the court, Pomerance said she is not using Veltman’s name during sentencing because she does not want to give others like him a platform, and is only referring to him as the offender.
She added that it was a planned and deliberate attack meant to intimidate a segment of the public, and said Veltman is a self-proclaimed white nationalist with offensive and racist views.
"It is an inescapable conclusion that the offender committed a terrorist act," she told the court.
Sentencing got underway at 10 a.m. at London’s courthouse where Veltman was seen seated in the prisoner’s box wearing a black suit.
The main courtroom was full, with an overflow courtroom needing to be utilized.
Justice Renee Pomerance hands down her sentence in the case of Nathaniel Veltman, 23, following his conviction in the deaths of four members of the Afzaal family in London, Ont. on Feb. 22, 2024. (Source: John Mantha)
Afzaal family statement
In a written statement from the Afzaal family, the family first thanked “everyone who worked towards this decision,” including the judge, courtroom employees in London and Windsor, London police, and their fellow Canadians.
Hearing the sentence read out loud in court on Thursday, the Afzaal family said they feel “both a hollowness and a storm brewing within.”
“We don’t know if it’s closure or justice. What we do know is that the verdict will not bring back what was stolen. It will not mend the fractured pieces of our lives, our identity, and our security,” the statement reads.
The family acknowledges that physical and emotional scars will remain, but that they refuse to reply to an act of hatred with more hate. Instead, they said they will choose to honour of the memory of the family “by fighting for a world where such tragedies never have to happen again.”
The statement went on to acknowledge the terrorism designation delivered by the judge, and that hate was responsible for claiming the lives of Talat, Salman, Madiha and Yumnah. The family said such hatred does not exist in a vacuum, and instead thrives in whispers, prejudices and a “normalized fear of the other.”
“The hate hidden in plain sight was normalized by the unchallenged belief that a racial hierarchy exists in Canada,” the statement reads.
The trial however wasn’t just about one solitary act, the family said, and instead serves as a reminder of the fault lines that run through society, and the stereotypes that can erupt into violence.
While the verdict does offer a semblance of justice, the family said their work does not end here.
Members of the Afzaal family speak to the media outside London, Ont.'s courthouse following the sentencing of Nathaniel Veltman on Feb. 22, 2024. (Daryl Newcombe/CTV News London)“We all have a responsibility to carry,” the family said. “During this trial, we [learned] that this hate is not just a threat to the Muslim community, not even just to the London community. Hate is a societal enemy that threatens the very core of family values.”
The family implores people to not just condemn hatred, but to outright confront it. They said this can be accomplished by dismantling systems that allow hatred to thrive and by actively challenging narratives that fuel it.
In order to accomplish this, the family said bridges of solidarity must be built with different communities, churches, other faith groups, cultural communities, and “everyone across the spectrum of society.”
“A true victory lies in creating a Canada where everyone feels safe, respected and valued, regardless of who they are or what they believe,” the statement reads. “This is the Canada we strive for, and the world Our London Family deserved.”
In the final part of their written statement, the Afzaal family addressed Veltman directly.
“Your hate may have taken four beautiful lives and almost a fifth, but it will not win,” the family said. “As Canadians, we will always rise above, stronger and united.”
This is a breaking news story. More to come.
-- With files from CTV News London’s Nick Paparella and CTV News Windsor's Michelle Maluske
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.