Five pedestrians run down in London, Ont., targeted as Muslims: police

London police say the motorist that killed four family members did so deliberately.

Police say they believe the family were targeted due to their Islamic faith. They say it was pre-planned and premeditated.

Four people died after a driver hit several pedestrians in the northwest end of the city Sunday evening, a nine-year-old boy was also seriously injured.

The mayor of London, Ont., is calling the killing an “act of mass murder.”

4 members of a Muslim family murdered in what police say was a targeted attack. We spoke with friends of the family. Police confirm that 20y/o Nathanial Veltman has been charged with 4 counts of 1st degree murder. 1 attempt murder. RCMP will liaise on terror charges. @CHCHNews pic.twitter.com/Hid2mAOJDx

— Nicole Martin (@nicolemartintv) June 7, 2021

Police say the incident happened around 8:40 p.m. at the intersection of Hyde Park and South Carriage roads.

Happening now London Police are combing through the entire area. The police perimeter is large, it includes several blocks near the intersection of Hyde Park and South Carriage Rd and extends to an adjacent field. @CHCHNews #ldnont pic.twitter.com/15iQya1Erl

— Nicole Martin (@nicolemartintv) June 7, 2021

Investigators say the victims 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 remains in hospital in serious condition. All of the victims were members of the same family.

The driver has been identified as 20-year-old Nathaniel (Nate) Veltman from London. He was arrested a short time later and faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.