What we know about the man accused in the London, Ont. attack
Nathaniel Veltman, 20, is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of four members of a Muslim family in London, Ont. and attempted murder for allegedly injuring a fifth.
On Sunday five members -- three generations -- of a family were out walking when they were struck by a pickup truck in the area of Hyde Park Road and South Carriage Road.
A family spokesperson has identified the family members as Salman Afzaal, 46, his 44-year-old wife Madiha, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna, and the children's 74-year-old grandmother. The boy who survived is Fayez., nine.
Police say the driver of the pickup mounted the curb and struck the family intentionally.
"There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act and that the family was targeted because of their Muslim faith," said London police Det.-Insp. Paul Waight during a briefing on Monday.
While no terror charges have yet been laid, they are still being considered, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford have both called the incident a terrorist attack.
Trudeau said Tuesday, "Their lives were taken in a brutal, cowardly, and brazen act of violence. This killing was no accident. This was a terrorist attack motivated by hatred in the heart of one of our communities."
Veltman was arrested a few kilometres away from the scene of the crash near Cherryhill Village Mall on Oxford Street, which is located steps from the London Muslim Mosque.
On Tuesday, police were seen at Veltman's apartment building on Covent Market Place in downtown London.
London police Chief Steve Williams says evidence currently suggests Veltman acted alone, and any possible involvement with hate groups has not been established.
"We’re going to want to look into the accused’s backround. Friends, family, obviously online activity and anything like that can sort of piece together the history and what brought us to this today, and that will form part of the investigation. I can’t speak directly to groups he may have been involved in. I know there’s information out there that isn’t necessarily accurate, but we need to work through that ourselves."
Gray Ridge Eggs has confirmed Veltman had been a part-time employee there for several years. He reportedly worked in shipping.
In a statement, the company said they were "shocked and saddened to learn late Monday afternoon that Nathaniel Veltman, part-time employee at our Strathroy plant, has been arrested and charged,"
It continued, "We join our community in expressing condemnation of this violent attack and offer our heartfelt sympathy to the family and the Muslim community."
Co-worker Tina Perry, who says she has known Veltman for several years, tells CTV News he was always a nice guy who kept to himself, but who was there to help when needed.
She says she was shocked at the allegations, "I'm very shaken up about this, I never would think, in a million years, he would do something like that."
London police have declined to release an official photo of the suspect, saying "there is no risk to public safety as he is currently in custody."
Const. Sandasha Bough continued in a statement, "We release (pictures) when someone is wanted or if there is a risk to public safety. If investigators determine there is a need to, it will happen by way of media release, but his (picture) is out there now so there is no need at this time."
The image below is the only photo to which CTV News London currently has access.
If you need mental health help in the wake of the London, Ont. vehicle attack, support and resources are available here.
- With files from CTV News London's Bryan Bicknell
Nathaniel Veltman, then of Strathroy, Ont., is seen taking part in the St. Clair River Run. Police have not provided a photo of the suspect.
Nathaniel Veltman, then of Strathroy, Ont., is seen taking part in the St. Clair River Run.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Alice Munro, Nobel literature winner revered as short story master, dead at 92
Nobel laureate Alice Munro, the Canadian literary giant who became one of the world's most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history's most honoured short story writers, has died at age 92.
Latest updates on air quality alerts, and when the smoke may reach Ontario and Quebec
Wildfires have led Environment Canada to issue air quality advisories for parts of B.C., Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories, as forecasters warn the smoke could drift farther east.
Are these Canada's best restaurants? Annual top 100 list revealed
The annual list of Canada's top restaurants in the country was just released and here are the places that made the 2024 cut.
Attack on prison van in France kills 2 officers, inmate escapes
Armed assailants killed two French prison officers and seriously wounded three others in an attack on a convoy in Normandy on Tuesday and an inmate escaped, officials said.
Maximum payout for LifeLabs class-action drops from $150 estimate to $7.86
Canadian LifeLabs customers who filed an application for a class-action settlement began receiving their payments this week, though at a much lower amount than initially expected.
Steal a car, lose your driver's licence for 10 years under new Ontario proposal
Repeat car thieves may face lengthy licence bans under proposed changes to Ontario’s Highway Traffic Act.
$1.6B parts plant for Honda electric vehicle batteries coming to Niagara Region
A Japanese company has announced it will build an approximately $1.6-billion plant in Ontario's Niagara Region that will make a key electric vehicle battery component as part of Honda's supply chain in the province.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
Manitoba premier to visit areas impacted by wildfire
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew will get a close-up look at the devastation from a large wildfire burning in northern Manitoba Tuesday.