Nathaniel Veltman, charged with four counts of first-degree murder after striking 5 people with his vehicle, killing four in London Ontario

The 2021 London Homicide Victim List is available here.

London police said a black pickup truck mounted a curb, striking 5 people along the west side of Hyde Park Road, as they were waiting to cross the interscetion where Hyde Park Road meets South Carriage Road on June 5th at 8:40pm.

Emergency crews located the 5 victims who were all family members. The deceased include a 74-year-old female, a 46-year-old male, a 44-year-old female, and a 15-year-old female. A 9-year-old boy remains in hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries. The victims have been identified as:
– Yumna Afzaal, 15
– Madiha Salman, 44
– Talat Afzaal, 74
– Salman Afzaal, 46

The driver fled the scene heading southbound on Hyde Park Road at a high rate of speed. Police said “It was observed to turn left on Oxford Street, not stopping for the red light.” At approximately 8:45 p.m., the driver of the vehicle stopped in the parking lot of a mall located at Oxford Street West and Cherryhill Boulevard where he was arrested by police.

Nathaniel Veltman, 20, of London, has been charged with four counts of first degree murder and one count of attempt murder. Police said “Investigators believe that this was an intentional act and that the victims were targeted because of their Islamic faith. There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the homicide tip line at 519 661-5515 ext 5842.

Update June 14th
London Police Service worked with RCMP INSET, the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, determining that the murders constitute terrorist activity.  As a result, the Federal and Provincial Attorneys General provided their consent to commence terrorism proceedings, alleging that the murders and the attempted murder also constitute terrorist activity.

Veltman appeared at the London Courthouse to answer to the following charges:

  • First-Degree murder, contrary to s.235 of the Criminal Code (4 counts) which, in addition to being planned and deliberate murders pursuant to s.231(2) of the Criminal Code, also constitute terrorism offences pursuant to sections 2, 83.01(1)(b) and 231 (6.01) of the Criminal Code; and
  • Attempt to commit murder, contrary to section 239(1) of the Criminal Code (1 count) which, in addition to being an attempted murder, also constitutes a terrorism offence pursuant to sections 2, 83.01(1)(b) and 83.27 of the Criminal Code.