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Canadian police are questioning the suspected driver of a van that killed ten pedestrians in northern Toronto. Police say 25-year-old Alek Minassian deliberately aimed his vehicle to kill as many as possible - but why is not clear. Dan Williams has the story from Toronto.
Paying their respects to the victims of a tragedy. Locals line up to lay flowers, write messages and gather their thoughts. For some, the emotions become too much. Just across the road, police and forensic teams continue to gather evidence. This is where the incident began. At approximately half past one, a white rental van mounted the pavement and began mowing down pedestrians. Chaos and pandemonium followed. Bodies were left strewn across the road.
ALI EYEWITNESS "He just went on the sidewalk, he just started hitting everybody man. He hit every single person on the sidewalk, anybody in his way he hit, the bus stop, everything got shattered. There is a lady in there that I saw, I just stopped and I looked and I went after it again. All I see is just crumbling up, one by one, one by one. Holy God I've never seen a scene like this in my life I swear."
The suspect has been named as 25-year-old Alek Minassian. Bystander videos appear to show the driver pointing an object at police officers. He was arrested without shots being fired. Police say the incident appeared to be deliberate but the motive was still unknown. Some of those that visited the memorial later in the evening had witnessed the incident.
RUICHENG GAO EYEWITNESS "It was absolutely terrifying. I saw a big van crashed to the sidewalk and crushing people. I saw the victims lie on the ground and were full of blood."
Others were still struggling to comprehend what had happened.
"Just feeling a lot of disbelief and shock in a lot of ways. Such sadness. A deep sadness. You don't know until something like this happens."
DAN WILLIAMS TORONTO "For hours, people have been coming here to pay their respects to the victims as locals here attempt to come to terms with this tragedy. But throughout it all, there is also a sense of unity and togetherness. Dan Williams, CGTN, Toronto."