On Friday morning, two men were stabbed at the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple in Edmonton, Canada. The incident occurred when the victims intervened to prevent a 27-year-old man from entering the prayer area. The assailant was arrested on the scene for using a screwdriver in the attack, which disrupted the morning prayers. Both victims were injured but their current condition has not been disclosed.
The two victims — a 75-year-old male and a 51-year-old male — were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
“The confrontation then escalated and two male patrons of the gurdwara were stabbed. Edmonton Police Service Chief Warren Driechel assured the public that all applicable criminal code provisions, including those associated with hate-motivated offences like Bill C9, will be considered if it is found that the incident was motivated by ideology. He urged people to maintain patience and trust in the investigation and acknowledged concerns over rising hate crimes. Further investigation into the incident is underway.
On Friday morning, at 4:49, the Edmonton Police Service (EPS) received reports of a male walking in traffic on Highway 15 near Horsehill Road. Less than half an hour later, at 5:05, police began receiving reports of a stabbing at the gurdwara in the area. Witnesses intervened and detained the man until Northeast Branch patrol officers arrived at 5:10 am and immediately took him into custody,” the police said . “At this time we can tell you that the 27-year-old man is known to police and has a significant history of violent offences dating back to 2015. We have learned that he was released from a federal institution yesterday, August 20, where he had been serving a sentence for aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer, and he failed to report to his designated Edmonton halfway house,” Stewart said.
A male entered the gurudwara and attempted to access the prayer area when he was confronted by staff, according to preliminary reports.
