'Heinous crime': Mother of accused in London, Ont. truck attack speaks out
The mother of the man accused of running down a London family with his pickup truck, killing four and severely injuring a nine-year-old boy, calls it a "heinous crime."
Alysia Bisset, the mother of 20-year-old Nathaniel Veltman, responded in an e-mail saying she is “deeply grieved” — and is praying for the victims.
“I am deeply grieved by the heinous crime that was committed this last weekend,” wrote Alysia Bisset in an e-mailed statement to CTV News Toronto.
“I am praying for the victims and the family members of the victims and my heartfelt prayers will continue for all that are affected by this tragedy,” she wrote.
Salman Afzaal, his wife Madiha Salman, their daughter Yumna Afzaal and Afzaal’s 74-year old mother Talat were killed on Sunday night as they were out for a stroll. Nine-year-old Fayez Afzaal survived, but remains in hospital.
London police have said they were targeted because they were Muslims, and the attack was motivated by hate.
One witness said Veltman was wearing a swastika on his shirt and was laughing when he was arrested. Veltman has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Veltman appeared in court briefly in London on Thursday morning. He was wearing a face mask and an orange jumpsuit as he appeared by video link from Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre.
He gave short, clear answers to the judge when asked. He has not yet retained a lawyer. The hearing was put over until Monday.
Troubled individuals can find racial or radical ideologies attractive because it can give them a sense of community, sociology professor Lorne Dawson of the University of Waterloo said.
“The evidence on the whole suggests many have troubled lives,” said Dawson. “They are seeking certainty and a dramatic sense of purpose.”
Others advised caution as there is much still unknown about the attack and the accused attacker.
“The question still remains: why this Muslim family, why was he dressed a certain way? There might be other ideological parameters at play,” said religion professor Amaranth Amarasingam of Queen’s University.
Tributes continue to pour in for the Afzaals as flowers mount at the London memorial for them. An online fundraiser for the family has crested $700,000, according to organizers.
None of the charges has been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
2 charged after police find 'concerning and diverse' explosives at Manitoba home
Winnipeg police say they have arrested two people in their 20s after a large amount of explosives were found in a home outside of Winnipeg, Man.