Trudeau calls van attack ‘horrific and senseless,’ says no apparent terror link
Posted April 24, 2018 6:04 am.
Last Updated April 24, 2018 12:44 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says a deadly rampage through Toronto city streets in a van still has no apparent link to a terrorist attack.
He describes the attack that killed 10 and injured 15 as “horrific” and “senseless.”
“In the face of this tragedy, all Canadians stand united with Toronto,” said Trudeau.
He applauds the work of first responders to the scene whose actions he says no doubt saved lives.
But Trudeau says at this point, there is no information to suggest there was a national security aspect to the motive in this attack, and tried to reassure Canadians in this troubling time
“We do everything we can to keep Canadians safe. But we cannot, as Canadians, choose to live in fear every single day, as we go about our daily business.”
Trudeau says he will be visiting Toronto soon, but only when it is appropriate because he doesn’t want to be a distraction to the important work at the scene.
The attack began Monday afternoon when a van sped down a busy stretch of sidewalk on Yonge Street in the city’s north end.
Toronto police have arrested 25-year-old Alek Minassian in the incident. Minassian appeared in court today, where he was charged with 10 counts of first degree murder and 13 of attempted murder.
