Police have charged Nathaniel Veltman, 20, of London, with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder after he allegedly hit five pedestrians because of their Islamic faith, killing four members of the same family. Deceased are a 74-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl. A nine-year-old boy is recovering in hospital from serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

By PD Raj With News Files

LONDON, ONT. – In a horrific incident which is being called domestic act of terrorism, a racist man in London, Ontario has been charged with intentionally running over a Muslim family and killing four members.

Police have charged Nathaniel Veltman, 20, of London, with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder after he allegedly hit five pedestrians because of their Islamic faith, killing four members of the same family.

The victims’ extended family issued a statement identifying the dead as Salman Afzal, 46; his wife Madiha, 44; their daughter Yumna, 15; and a 74-year-old grandmother whose name was withheld. The hospitalized boy was identified as the couple’s son, Fayez. Friends said the family immigrated to Canada 14 years ago.

The crash occurred around 8:40 p.m. Sunday when Veltman, driving a pickup truck, struck five people walking on Hyde Park Road near South Carriage Road.

Veltman was arrested roughly seven kilometres away from the scene in the parking lot of Cherryhill Village Mall on Oxford Street shortly after the family was struck. 

During a news conference Monday afternoon, London police confirmed that there was evidence that the incident was hate-motivated and planned but didn't go into specifics as to why, reported CTV News.

"There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act and that the family was targeted because of their Muslim faith," said Det.-Insp. Paul Waight during the briefing.

Police also confirmed that the suspect wore a vest similar to body armor during the incident Sunday and that potential terrorism charges are being considered. Waight added there is no known previous connection between the accused and the victims.

Veltman was scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon.

Jagmeet Singh, Leader of Canada's NDP, and Lindsay Mathyssen, NDP MP for London--Fanshawe, made the following statement:

“We send our heartfelt condolences to the relatives and community of the victims in London,” said Singh. “This was a hate crime that killed four members of a family and left the fifth seriously injured. Three generations among the dead were a grandmother, father, mother and teenage daughter. Our hearts break for the victims of this senseless attack.”

Singh, who has been an outspoken critic of extremism, said white Supremacist extremism and Far-Right radicalisation represent a real threat and we must fight against it. I spoke to members of the Muslim community—they feel unsafe and are afraid for their loved ones. It shouldn’t be this way.

“We cannot give hate any air to breathe or space to take hold,” he said. “New Democrats will keep fighting against Islamophobia and all forms of racism and discrimination so that Canadians can feel safe in their communities.”

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) is beyond horrified and demands justice after the horrific hate-motivated car attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario who were out for a walk on Sunday evening.                              

“The family was out on a morning walk and they were murdered because of their religion and their attire,” NCCM said in a statement.” This is an act of Islamophobia and terror. Let us all stand up against hate. Today we grieve.”

Police didn't release the names of the victims, asking privacy for the family at this time.

London Police Chief Steve Williams expressed his sympathy for the family and for the larger Muslim community Monday.

“We understand that this event may cause fear and anxiety in the community and in particular the Muslim community and any community targeted by hate. I want to reassure all Londoners that all of us on the call today and many others stand with you and support you,” Williams said.

"These were innocent human beings who were killed simply because they were Muslim," said community spokesperson Nawaz Tahir. "We will stand strong against hate. We will stand strong against Islamophobia. We will respond to those trying to inflict terror on our community with love."

London Mayor Ed Holder also spoke at the virtual news conference Monday and released a statement.

"I speak on behalf of all Londoners when I say our hearts are broken. We grieve for the family, three generations of whom are now deceased. We weep for their loved ones. We pray for the recovery of the 9-year-old boy who remains in hospital. I have ordered flags outside London City Hall lowered for three days of mourning."

Eyewitness Natasha, who wished only to share her first name, says she was on her way home from the beach with her family at the time of the crash.

“We saw cars stopping and the first thing we saw was something moving on the corner...when we got closer we saw a kid with black hair,” she said.

Natasha explained in that moment she shielded her young daughter's eyes as she and her husband noticed two more people lying on the ground.

"(My daughter) was saying when we were home: the (child) was crying mommy, and it's dark now."

A second witness spoke to the media Monday morning and described the scene as emergency vehicles arrived.

"It was just chaos. There were people everywhere and running," said Paige Martin. "Citizens were trying to direct the emergency vehicles where to go. There was a lot of pointing and screaming and arm waving."

Investigators remained at the scene Monday trying to piece together exactly what led to the deadly crash.

Nearly a dozen officers could be seen walking side-by-side looking for evidence. Hyde Park Road has since reopened to traffic.

"I'm still in shock," said Martin, visibly emotional. "I'm very shaken up knowing there's kids, multiple kids. It's awful, this family is just out for walk ... My heart is so broken for them today." 

Meanwhile condolences to the family and friends of the victims in the London crash are pouring in over social media, reported CTV News.

With Files from CTV News