Toronto: Canadian police have charged a 27-year-old male in connection with the stabbing of two persons at a gurdwara in Edmonton, Alberta province in the early hours of August 21. The assailant used a screwdriver for the alleged stabbings.
“The confrontation then escalated and two male patrons of the Gurdwara were stabbed. He is expected to make his next court appearance on September 18. Witnesses intervened and detained the man until Northeast Branch patrol officers arrived at 5:10am and immediately took him into custody,” the release added.
EPS’ Investigative Response Team and EPS Hate Crimes Unit “continue to actively investigate this incident, which includes the ongoing assessment of any evidence relevant to the application of hate-related criminal provisions,” the statement added. The incident occurred just before 5am on August 21, when the suspect “entered the (Nanaksar) Gurdwara and attempted to access the prayer area when he was confronted by staff,” Edmonton Police Service said in a statement. He said others at the gurdwara prevented the attacker from causing damage to the Guru Granth Sahib, the holiest scripture in Sikhism, and subdued him before handing him over the police who were already looking for him as he had earlier threatened drivers on a highway.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) identified the suspect as Austin Sim-Pelletier, and said he was charged with two counts of assault causing bodily harm and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief.
The suspect had been released from a Federal prison a day earlier on parole after serving a sentence for aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer.
“This investigation is complex and involves numerous investigative steps that we are still diligently working to complete,” EPS Investigations Branch Staff Sergeant Eric Stewart said.
