Twenty-year-old Nathaniel Veltman appeared in court yesterday via video link accused of intentionally running over and killing a Muslim family in London. The 20-year-old who has so far been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder, is now also accused of terrorism.

On June 6, Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their daughter Yumna Afzaal, 15, and Salman’s mother, Talat Afzaal, 74, were killed by the pickup van Veltman was driving. The only survivor is nine-year-old Fayez who is hospitalized. According to investigators, the family was targeted by Veltman – who is been held in the Elgin Middlesex Detention Center – because of their faith.

The new charges against the London resident were announced two days after the funeral of the victims at a mosque in the city about 170 kilometres from Toronto, attended by thousands of people.

In what was supposed to be a normal court appearance from the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre, Veltman – who was wearing an orange T-shirt, orange pants and a blue mask – asked to apply for legal aid. “Mr. Veltman, you are now charged with four first-degree murders. In addition to the allegation that these murders were planned and deliberate, a further charge is that they also constitute terrorism,” Sarah Shaikh, of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC), told the defendant.

Provincial and federal prosecutors have signed a document in support of the terrorism charges.

To determine whether Veltman should be charged with terrorist activity, London Police have worked closely with the RCMP Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET), the Attorney General’s Office and PPSC. “The London Police Service and RCMP INSET wish to reassure the public that there are no further known or suspicious threats to the citizens associated with the accused at this time – reads a press release issued by the police – the investigation is ongoing and the collaborative effort between the London Police Service and RCMP INSET will continue.”

The communiqué also encourages the public to report anyone who has witnessed or is aware of “any criminal extremism and/or suspicious activity that could pose a threat to the public and/or national security.”  Under Canada’s Criminal Code, terrorism is a felony punishable under the Anti-Terrorism Act, which includes behaviour intended to intimidate citizens or a part of them, in whole or in part, for political, religious, or ideological reasons.

During the hearing that lasted a few minutes, Veltman also said he had spoken with the lawyer Damon Hardy but was not yet officially represented by the lawyer. A representative for Hardy then read a cell phone number that Veltman can call from prison to get in touch with the law firm.

Photo by Muhammad Ali Bukhari — CNMNG News: a moment during the march in memory of the slain Muslim family