Canada: Two injured in stabbing at gurdwara

Two men were injured in a screwdriver attack during morning prayers at a gurdwara in Edmonton, Canada.

Key points

• Acting Inspector Eric Stewart of the Edmonton Police Service remarked the force's Hate Crimes unit is investigating.
• Two men were injured after a man armed with a screwdriver entered Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple in Edmonton during morning prayers on Friday.
• Zora Grewal, vice-president of the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple, informed CBC News that the victims were a temple priest and a longtime volunteer.
• We are asking gurdwaras across Canada to review and strengthen their security procedures and to remain vigilant, Singh remarked.

Two men were injured in a screwdriver attack during morning prayers at a gurdwara in Edmonton, Canada. While police remarked the Hate Crimes unit is investigating the incident and charges are pending, a 27-year-old suspect was detained by witnesses.

Two men were injured after a man armed with a screwdriver entered Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple in Edmonton during morning prayers on Friday. A 27-year-old man was taken into custody after witnesses detained him at the gurdwara in the city's northeast. According to a report by CBC News, the incident took place at around 5 a.m. Police remarked the suspect attempted to enter the prayer room before stabbing two men, aged 75 and 51. For context, the victims were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The suspect was additionally injured and taken to hospital.

Acting Inspector Eric Stewart of the Edmonton Police Service remarked the force's Hate Crimes unit is investigating. Police have not disclosed a feasible motive. "Quick acting witnesses" intervened and detained the man before officers arrived, Stewart remarked. Police remarked the suspect is known to them and has a significant history of violence. He was published from a federal institution on Thursday after serving a sentence for aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer. The suspect had failed to report to his designated Edmonton halfway house, police remarked. Investigators will examine how he came to be near the temple instead of the assigned housing facility. Charges are pending, and police have not published the suspect's name. Temple priest and volunteer injured.

Zora Grewal, vice-president of the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple, informed CBC News that the victims were a temple priest and a longtime volunteer. Grewal remarked the suspect stabbed the priest repeatedly with a screwdriver before attacking the elderly volunteer. Temple authorities stated no Sikh scriptures were damaged in the incident. The temple was temporarily closed to the public on Friday morning as police continued their investigation. Authorities are anticipated to meet over the weekend to discuss feasible further security measures. We love everybody. We don't hate anybody, remarked Grewal. This temple is only for prayer. Individuals come here for peace of mind. We just pray to God this won't happen again. So hopefully everybody is safe here. Sikh organisations urge vigilance.

Danish Singh, president of the World Sikh Organization of Canada, remarked the attack came against the backdrop of what he described as a rise in anti-Sikh hate throughout Canada. We are asking gurdwaras across Canada to review and strengthen their security procedures and to remain vigilant, Singh remarked. At the same time, we will not allow fear to dictate how Sikhs live in Canada. The attack came days after two Sikh temples in Calgary received threatening phone calls. Calgary police remarked the calls came from the same number on August 15 and that there was no active threat to the community. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith condemned the violence and pressed reforms to federal bail and parole laws. Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities and places of worship, and we will continue to defend that right, Smith remarked. Today's attack once again affirms why the federal government must take bail and parole reform seriously. Prime Minister Mark Carney additionally condemned the attack in a post on X. The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling. My thoughts are with the two individuals who were injured and the wider community that is shaken by this terrible event. No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship. I want to thank the Edmonton Police Service for their swift response.

Taken together, the developments around canada: Two injured in stabbing at gurdwara point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.