A man has been arrested in connection with what Edmonton police are calling an act of terrorism.
A police officer was hit by a vehicle and stabbed on Saturday niht, and four pedestrians were hit by a van.
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) says a 30-year-old Edmonton man has been arrested and is currently in custody.
“EPS members arrested and took a male suspect we believe to be responsible for these acts of violence into custody earlier this morning,” says EPS Chief Rod Knecht. “We ask that our citizens remain vigilant and observant of their surroundings, and contact police should they notice any other unusual activities around the city.”
Police say on Saturday at around 8:15pm, a uniformed EPS officer was doing his traffic control duties during a CFL football game between the Edmonton Eskimos and Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Commonwealth Stadium. The officer was standing behind a traffic barricade, in front of his police vehicle at an intersection just southwest of the stadium. According to police, out of nowhere, a white Chevrolet Malibu crashed through the traffic barricades at high speed.
Police say the car struck the EPS officer and sent him flying 15 ft. through the air, before colliding with the cruiser. A man then jumped out of his vehicle and began viciously stabbing the officer with a knife. The suspect then ran away. The officer was taken to hospital with various injuries.
Just before midnight, police say a U-Haul truck was pulled over at a Checkstop location. A police officer asked to see the licence of the driver and recognized the name as being similar to the registered owner of the Chevy Malibu involved in the incident earlier in the evening. According to police, the U-Haul truck then immediately fled the scene and was pursued by police officers towards downtown Edmonton.
During the chase, police say the U-Haul truck deliberately attempted to hit pedestrians in crosswalks and alleys. Police say four pedestrians were struck by the truck and taken to hospital with multiple injuries. The chase ended when the U-Haul truck flipped over and police were able to take the driver into custody.
Investigators believe these two incidents may be related. Chief Knecht says police believe the man taken into custody "acted alone, although investigation is in its early stages."
In a statement, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he is "deeply concerned and outraged by this tragedy."
“The Government of Canada and Canadians stand with the people of Edmonton after the terrorist attack on Saturday that sent an Edmonton Police Service officer to hospital and injured a number of innocent people who were out to cheer on their football team and to enjoy an evening in their city. I am deeply concerned and outraged by this tragedy," says Trudeau.
Trudeau adds that acts of terrorism will never be tolerated.
“We cannot – and will not – let violent extremism take root in our communities. We know that Canada’s strength comes from our diversity, and we will not be cowed by those who seek to divide us or promote fear. Edmonton is a strong and resilient city, and I am confident that its citizens will support one another to overcome this tragic event,” says Trudeau.