Canada gurdwara attack: Two injured in stabbing incident at Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara, PM Carney condemns attack
PTC News Desk: At least two men were in a stabbing incident that took place at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Canada's Edmonton. The 27-year-old armed individual entered the building during morning prayers and launched attack and subsequently was taken into the custody.
Police confirmed the 27-year-old suspect has a history of violent offences and had recently been released from a federal facility serving a sentence for aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer. He had reportedly failed to report to his assigned halfway house prior to the incident.
According to official police reports, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) first received calls at 4:49 a.m. about a man walking in traffic on Highway 15 near Horsehill Road.
Soon after, at around 5:05 a.m., police began receiving reports of a stabbing inside the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara near 14 Street and Horsehill Road.
The EPS Investigative Response Team has taken charge of the investigation and is working closely with the Hate Crimes Unit to determine whether the attack was motivated by hate. Charges against the suspect have not yet been announced.
Following the violent incident, EPS Chief Warren Driechel stressed the police department's commitment to ensuring community safety and addressing the impact of the attack.
"We are thankful that this morning's event did not result in more significant injuries or deaths but also recognise that the trauma experienced by the victims and their community cannot be understated," said EPS Chief Warren Driechel. "This level of violence has no place in our city, and we want to ensure the Sikh community and all Edmontonians that we are taking this incident and their safety, seriously."
Shortly afterwards, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the attack, terming it "appalling" and said in a post on X, "The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling. My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and the wider community that is shaken by this terrible event."
- With inputs from agencies
