UPDATE: VAN ATTACK – Ten killed, suspect arrested

(NOTE: Psychologists have repeatedly said that a quest for attention and “notoriety” is often the reason for such attacks and that naming such individuals only serves their purpose and is believed to inspire so-called “copycat” crimes.  As such I will not identify the individual by name, nor show a clear photo of him even though all other news services have done so.)

TUESDAY- Police now say ten people were killed in the van attack, and 15 injured.

A 25-year-old resident of the Toronto area suburb of Richmond Hill has been arrested and will appear in court in Toronto at 10:00 ET to face charges.  There is no evidence of an organised attack. It appears at this point to be the single action of a disturbed individual, although no motive has yet been clarified.

The officer who arrested the alleged driver is being praised for his coolness in the arrest without firing his gun.  In the video below the driver hold an object as if it were a pistol, and also makes moves as if drawing it from his pocket, while also taunting the officer to “kill” him.  At one point the individual also advances toward the officer in a clear provocation. The officer continues to shout at the man to get down, but thinking he can’t be heard over the car siren,  goes back into the car to turn off the siren. He then resumes his order for the man to “get down”. Apparently realising the man does not have a pistol, the officer then holsters his own gun and pulls out a baton at which point the alleged attacker gives up, also apparently realising the officer wasn’t going to shoot and kill him.

Police have closed off the area and are asking any witnesses to come forward with any information they may have

Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders gave an impromptu news update asking for information about the attack which took place along the approximately one kilometre stretch of the major Toronto street. In the video below Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne can be seen over the Police Chief’s shoulder at the left side of the video, and federal Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale is seen over his shoulder to the right.

One of the victims has been identified so far. She is Anne-Marie D’amico who worked for an investment management firm located in the area,

An ad hoc memorial has been created near the scene where people have been writing messages of sympathy, and support on cardboard taped to a low wall. Other posters expressing love, along with flowers are also being left. In the national capital, Ottawa, the Canadian flag on the Parliament building’s Victory and Peace Tower has been lowered to half-staff, and messages of condolence and support have been coming in from across the country, and internationally.

—  Yesteday below —

Driver in custody, no word on identity or possible motive

In a busy intersection in downtown Toronto just after lunchtime on a sunny day when the area would be full of people a van ran over several pedestrians.

The incident happened about 13;30 when a white van left the road and drove onto the sidewalk where several people were struck.

It then sped away.

At this point it is not clear how many were struck. Original estimates were 8-10 people, that number has now been unofficially reduced, but an eyewitness interviewed on the CBC said there were some victims being given CPR, and about four others that police covered with cloths, presumably dead. Another eyewitness at the location also speaking to CBC-News Now, says she also can see four bodies covered.

The latest report says the police have located the van and arrested the driver. The area however has been closed off by police and many office workers have been told to remain inside. The underground transit subway trains are currently bypassing the particular station near the location.

Many people say the tragedy has reminded them of similar incidents in Europe where terrorists have used vehicles to kill. There is no word yet of a motive, and no-one has used the word terrorist as of yet in describing the incident.