10 Dead After Van Rams Into Crowd Of Pedestrians On Toronto Street

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Ten people are dead and at least 15 others are injured after a van drove onto a sidewalk in Toronto’s North York neighborhood on Monday. 
The driver was taken into custody shortly after the incident. Deputy Chief Peter Yuen of the Toronto police confirmed the number of fatalities during a press briefing on Monday afternoon.
Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders later identified the suspect as 25-year-old Alek Minassian, of Richmond Hill, Ontario. He said at a news conference Monday evening that the actions “definitely looked deliberate.”
Investigators were looking into terrorism as a possible motive behind the attack, Reuters reported, citing a U.S. security source. But government officials familiar with the investigation later said there was no evidence that the attack was linked to an organized terrorist group, the CBC reported.
The Toronto Police Operations Centre tweeted Monday afternoon that police were responding to an incident in which a “white van” had struck “numerous pedestrians” at the intersection of Yonge Street and Finch Avenue East just before 1:30 p.m. local time.

Collision, numerous pedestrians have been struck by a white van on Yonge St and Finch area. further when I get more. #GO725711 ^gl— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) April 23, 2018

Update: unknown of extent of injuries, possible 8 - 10 pedestrians struck further when I get it ^gl— Toronto Police OPS (@TPSOperations) April 23, 2018

Alex Shaker, who was driving southbound on Yonge Street at the time of the incident, told CTV News Channel that he saw the van driving at a high speed on the sidewalk.
“He started going down on the sidewalk and crumbling down people one by one,” Shaker said Monday afternoon, noting that he saw the vehicle hit someone with a stroller.
“He just destroyed so many people’s lives,” he said. “Every single thing that got in his way.”
Police said the van mounted the curb, striking several pedestrians, before fleeing the scene, according to City News. Authorities apprehended the vehicle roughly a mile south of the collision, and the driver was taken into custody, a police department spokesperson confirmed to HuffPost.
Aerial footage appeared to show a white van from rental company Ryder that eyewitnesses identified as the vehicle from the incident.

Aerial footage shows scene in Toronto after van struck numerous pedestrians; eyewitness accounts identified this as the van in the incident, CTV reports. https://t.co/V7MuBB6bCJpic.twitter.com/hEhDX6cnrB— ABC News (@ABC) April 23, 2018

“We are saddened by this tragic event, and our deepest sympathies go out to those impacted,” Ryder said in a statement. “We take the safety and security of our entire fleet very seriously and we are cooperating fully with authorities.”
The Toronto Star published video of the suspect’s arrest, apparently taken by a bystander. In it, the suspect appears to be holding an object in his hand and pointing it at police officers, though it is not clear what the object is. 
Officers can be heard yelling at the suspect, identified as Minassian, to “get down or you’ll be shot,” according to The New York Times.
“Shoot me in the head,” he reportedly replied.

The area around the collision was closed to traffic on Monday afternoon after the incident. Subway service was also suspended in the area, CNN reported.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said in a press briefing that there would “likely be several days of disruption” in the area as the investigation continues. He asked that businesses and office buildings close for the remainder of the day and send employees home.
Tory also noted that the city was in the process of establishing two hotlines ― one for those worried about loved ones who may have been affected and a second for anyone with information that might help the police investigation.

More: Toronto subway service shut down after report that a van struck a number of people at Yonge Street and Finch Avenue East. No service on Line 1, between Sheppard and Finch Stations, and no shuttle buses at the moment. Yonge Street SB shut as well in area. (Photo by Jon Tam) pic.twitter.com/kwtacY7A0u— CBC News Alerts (@CBCAlerts) April 23, 2018

Canada’s prime minister, Justin Trudeau, was briefed on the incident. He said in a statement to reporters: “Our hearts go out to anyone affected. We’re obviously going to have more to learn and more to say in the coming hours.”
See more photos from the scene below:


Police inspect a van suspected of being involved in a collision injuring at least eight people at Yonge Street and Finch Avenue in Toronto.

Cole Burston via Getty Images

People react near the scene of the crash. 

Carlo Allegri / Reuters

A tarp lies on top of a body.

Cole Burston via Getty Images

Police inspect the van. 

Cole Burston via Getty Images

Law enforcement and first responders are on scene.

Cole Burston via Getty Images

Firemen cover a victim. 

Carlo Allegri / Reuters

Toronto police investigate the scene of the crash. 

Chris Donovan / Reuters

Shoes from victims are strewn across the scene. 

Steve Russell via Getty Images

A member of the police stands next to an unidentified body near the crime scene. 

LARS HAGBERG via Getty Images
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Nick Robins-Early and Sarah Ruiz-Grossman contributed to this report.

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