Two men have been injured after a stabbing at the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara in Edmonton during morning prayers on Friday.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has condemned the attack as appalling, saying that no one should feel unsafe when visiting a place of worship.
Edmonton police say they received calls about the stabbing close to 14 Street and Horsehill Road around 5.05 am.
They reported that a man had gained entry into the building, attempting to get to where people are praying before confronting staff there.
The situation quickly escalated leading to two male worshippers being stabbed. Witnesses managed to detain the suspect before police arrived some minutes later and made an arrest.
Both victims, aged 75 and 51 years old, were transported to the hospital suffering from non-life threatening injuries, according to the Edmonton Police Service.
A 27 year old has been identified as the suspect. Charges are pending and investigators have called on the Edmonton Police Service Hate Crimes Unit to ascertain if the attacks had a hate motivated component.
“The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling,” said Carney today. “My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and the wider community that’s shaken by this terrible event. I thank the police service for their swift response.”
