A 12-member jury took just six hours to find Nathaniel Veltman guilty of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in the truck attack on a Muslim family in London, Ontario in 2021.
Salman Afzaal (46), his wife Madiha Salman (44), their daughter Yumnah Afzaal (15) and her grandmother Talat Afzaal (74) were out for an evening walk on June 6, 2021 when they were struck by Veltman. A nine-year-old boy who was also injured in the attack survived.
Veltman reportedly showed no emotion as the verdict was read out in a Windsor court. The 22-year-old had pleaded not guilty to murder, attempted murder and associated terror charges in the attack on the Afzaal family. Police labelled it a hate crime related to anti-Muslim sentiments.
Tabinda Bukhari, the mother of Madiha Salman, read out a statement prepared by the family outside the courthouse.
“While this verdict does not bring back our loved ones, it is a recognition by the justice system that the perpetrator of these heinous crimes … intended to instil fear and terror in our hearts,” Bukhari said.
“However, this wasn’t just a crime against the Muslim community, but rather an attack against the safety and security of all Canadians.
“This trial and verdict are a reminder there is still much work to be done to address hatred in all forms that lives in our communities,” Bukhari added.
The date of sentencing hearing, to be held in London at the Afzaal family’s request, will likely be determined next month.
“Today justice was served for the Afzaal family and a community that is still grieving. Nothing can bring back the innocent lives lost in this senseless murder,” Premier Doug Ford posted on X (formerly Twitter) after the verdict was delivered. “Let’s honour their memory by continuing to fight Islamophobia in all its forms.”
