'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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
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.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
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.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
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.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
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.
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.