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Toronto police say a van in Toronto has struck and injured at least 8 people and killed five people. At this time, the cause and extent of injuries unknown. Given ISIS’s use of automobiles in the past couple of years in similar incidents, there are early indications that this may be a potential terror attack. The van that struck the civilians was reportedly white and the unidentified driver reportedly fled after the incident. The suspect was arrested by police afterward.
As a result of the attack, Yonge Street was closed from the intersection at Finch to North York due to a Toronto Police investigation. When the crash happened, Toronto police tweeted that “police were called to Yonge Street and Finch Avenue East.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was informed and is currently monitoring the situation. Toronto police currently have the suspect in custody, although there is no indication of their motive or identity.
While early reports indicated that eight people were injured, that number grew to potentially 10 people injured. Five people have reportedly been killed as a result of the incident.
Suspect pointed gun at Toronto police pic.twitter.com/UBzXVbXwRj
— Based Monitored
(@BasedMonitored) April 23, 2018
(@BasedMonitored) via CNN:
A white van collided with a crowd of pedestrians on a busy street north of downtown Toronto, Canada, on Monday, Toronto Police said.
A suspect is in custody and the van has been located, Toronto Police media representative Gary Long told CNN. Stephen Powell, district chief for Toronto Fire, confirmed that there have been multiple casualties. A large presence of Toronto fire, police and EMS personnel are on the scene, Powell said.
The incident occurred in the North York area at the intersection of Yonge Street and Finch Avenue, police said. Toronto paramedics are treating multiple patients, according to Kim McKinnon, superintendent for the Toronto paramedics.
Multiple first-responders and police were on the scene and local residents were urged to avoid the area.
Yonge Street is one of the main thoroughfares in Toronto. Subway service was suspended in the area of the incident.