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Mayor Don Scott "heartbroken, horrified and angry" over London tragedy

PHOTO. Mayor Don Scott, from 2018. MYMCMURRAY/Melanie Walsh.

FORT MCMURRAY (660 NEWS) – Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and many others are calling it a terrorist attack.

On Sunday evening, a family of five out for a walk in London, Ontario were run down in what police say was an intentional and targeted act due to the victims’ Islamic faith.

Tragically, four of the family members – a 74-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman and a 15-year-old girl – were killed in the attack while a nine-year-old boy remains in hospital.

A 20-year-old man is in custody facing four counts of first degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

Wood Buffalo Mayor Don Scott issued the following statement in the wake of the tragedy:

“I am heartbroken, horrified and angry at the hate-motivated attack that tragically and needlessly took the lives of four people of Muslim faith in London, Ontario on Sunday.

“On behalf of Council, the Municipality and all residents of our diverse region, I express my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims including the young child that survived this senseless act of terror and is now in hospital.

“As a father myself, I cannot fathom the undue pain inflicted on this young child, his family and community members, as well as on people of Muslim faith across Canada and in our region. Our hearts are with all those impacted. Please know that we grieve alongside you.

“This act of violence and hate cannot and should not take place in Canada, now or ever. We stand steadfast and united with our own Muslim community and firmly against this despicable act.

“It is also clear that all of us must continue to take every step to end Islamophobia, including all efforts to build a region that lives up to its commitment to diversity, inclusion and equality for people of Muslim faith and all residents. I call on all of us to do just that as we reflect and hold in our hearts these four people that were taken from their community by this horrible act of hate.”