'Sadness and shock': Windsor Muslim community mourns victims of deadly vehicle attack

Windsor, Ont. -

Windsor’s Muslim community is mourning the four victims who were killed in a vehicle attack in London, Ont.

“The Muslim Community of Windsor received with great sadness and shock the news of the fatal targeting of a Muslim family that left four innocent people dead and a fifth severely injured in London, Ontario,” said a statement from the Windsor Islamic Council.

The WIC said the “apparent hate crime shall be fully investigated by the law so that justice can be served.”

As tragic as the circumstances are, Windsor’s Sarah Mushtaq isn’t surprised by the hateful attack.

“Every time one of these attacks happen, we think it could have been us,” Mushtaq says.

Mushtaq says it feels like the Muslim community is re-traumatized each time an Islamiphobic attack takes place.

“It takes some time to work through that and get to a point where you feel safe again.” Mushtaq adds, “then by the time we do feel safe again, it seems like something like this happens again.”

Mushtaq tells CTV News there’s hope this tragedy is a wake-up call for leaders and authorities to act and wants to see tangible actions instead of only offering thoughts and condolences.

“I hate to be kind of glib about it, but it’s not rocket science, right? It’s very clear what advocates have been saying for years on what needs to be done.” Mushtaq explains, “We need community members to step up here. Thoughts and prayers and solidarity isn’t enough. We need action.”

Imam Mohamed at the Windsor Mosque tells CTV News he is still in shock.

"It’s not just an attack on a family, it’s an attack on humanity. An attack on Canadian principles," he says.

Mohamed says there is no place immune from violence or discrimination, but it is on us as Canadians to reduce the anger and remove the hate.

“Everyone one of us should think what happened as if it happened on himself and it could happen to me and my family,” he says.

Mohamed says anyone in need can reach out to the Windsor Mosque for support.

Windsor mayor Drew Dilkens says he’s reached out the mayor of London and expressed condolences on behalf of Windsor.

“It just is tragic and it certainly underscores that there is still hate in the community and that each of us should strive to be respectful of our neighbours,” Dilkens tells CTV News. “Learn to understand about different religions and cultures and develop a respect and appreciation that that’s what actually helps make us better and stronger as Canadians.”

Chatham-Kent plans to lower all flags at municipal locations during a vigil Wednesday evening to commemorate the lives lost.

“We stand in solidarity with the Muslim community,” said mayor Darrin Canniff. “Hatred and violence have no place in our country. No one should be alienated and live in fear because of the colour of their skin, their manner of dress or their religion.”

Four members of the family including a grandmother, mother, father and teenage girl, died as a result of the attack. A fifth victim, a nine-year-old boy survived, but is in hospital recovering from serious injuries.

London police say the 20-year-old male driver of the pickup mounted the curb and struck the family intentionally.

London police investigate the crash that killed four pedestrians and left one child injured on Monday, June 7, 2021. (Jim Knight / CTV London)

The suspect was arrested steps from the London Muslim Mosque.

The WIC is calling on authorities, politicians, and society to stand firmly against all forms of hate and discrimination.

With files from CTV London’s Justin Zadorsky.

If you need mental health help in the wake of the London, Ont. vehicle attack, support and resources are available here.