1 week ago
Two Men Stabbed at Edmonton Gurdwara as Police Investigate Motive
Two men were hurt at a Sikh place of worship in Edmonton, Canada.
The incident happened early Friday morning while people were praying before a wedding.
Police said a 27-year-old man was arrested at the gurdwara.
Witnesses stopped him until officers arrived.
The injured men were 75 and 51 years old, and both were expected to recover.
One report said the man allegedly used a screwdriver.
Police are trying to learn why the confrontation happened and whether it was motivated by hate.
The suspect had previously been known to police and had recently left a federal facility, according to officials.
The wedding still took place later that morning, and leaders condemned the violence.
Two men, aged 75 and 51, were stabbed during a confrontation at Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton shortly after 5 a.m. Friday.
Police arrested a 27-year-old man at the scene after witnesses detained him; one report said a screwdriver was allegedly used.
The victims, identified as a priest and a longtime volunteer, were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.
Police are investigating the motive, including whether the attack was hate-motivated; charges were pending in the reports.
Prime Minister Mark Carney and other leaders condemned the violence, while a wedding at the gurdwara proceeded at about 10:30 a.m.
- Who
- A 27-year-old man was arrested; two men aged 75 and 51 were injured. The victims were identified as a temple priest and a longtime volunteer. Prime Minister Mark Carney, Danielle Smith and Pierre Poilievre condemned the attack.
- What
- Two men were stabbed during a confrontation inside Nanaksar Gurdwara.
- Where
- Nanaksar Gurdwara near 14 Street and Horsehill Road in northeastern Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
- When
- Shortly after 5 a.m. on Friday; police received a report of a man walking in traffic at 4:49 a.m. and an active-stabbing report at 5:05 a.m. The wedding proceeded at about 10:30 a.m.
- Why
- A temple representative said the confrontation followed an alleged disruption during morning prayers and an attempt to access the prayer area. Police had not established the motive and were examining whether the attack was hate-motivated.
Investigators and officials
Community representatives and advocates
Motive
Investigators and officials
Police said they had not established a motive and were investigating whether the attack was hate-motivated.
Community representatives and advocates
A temple representative described an alleged disruption during prayers and said the community was anxious to understand what caused the confrontation; no representative in the reports definitively identified a motive.
Preventing future violence
Investigators and officials
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called for federal bail and parole reforms, citing the attack and recent violence.
Community representatives and advocates
The World Sikh Organisation of Canada urged gurdwaras to review and strengthen security procedures, while a Sikh legal-defense group called for emergency procedures, accessible exits and communication with law enforcement to be reviewed.
Key facts
- Location
- Nanaksar Gurdwara near 14 Street and Horsehill Road in Edmonton
- Incident time
- Shortly after 5 a.m. on Friday
- Suspect
- A 27-year-old man was arrested at the scene
- Victims
- Two men, aged 75 and 51; a temple representative identified them as a priest and a longtime volunteer
- Injuries
- Both victims were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries; one report said the suspect was also injured and taken to hospital
- Investigation
- The Edmonton Police Service Investigative Response Team and Hate Crimes Unit are examining the case; charges were pending
- Wedding
- The scheduled ceremony proceeded at about 10:30 a.m.
Quotes
Pierre Poilievre
Leader of Canada’s opposition
“The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling. My thoughts are with the two people 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.”
thestatesman.com
easterneye.biz
livemint.com
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their communities and places of worship, and we will continue to defend that right. We stand with the entire Sikh community across our province against recent acts of despicable violence over the last few days.”
livemint.com
Harmeek Sehgal
Representative of Nanaksar Gurdwara
“The guys were able to subdue him, and the police was called at that time.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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