London, Ont., calls for healing in wake of Afzaal murder trial verdict
CBC News | Posted: November 16, 2023 10:03 PM | Last Updated: November 16, 2023
Mayor, family members, police chief say work to combat Islamophobia must continue
People in London, Ont., called for healing Thursday following news that an Ontario jury in Windsor reached a verdict of guilty on four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in the killing of four members of a London Muslim family in June 2021.
The killings made headlines around the world and highlighted the racism Muslims often face in Canada.
The Afzaals were out for an evening walk in suburban London when they were struck by a truck — which was driven by Veltman, information that was part of an agreed statement of facts. Yumnah Afzaal, 15, her parents Madiha Salman, 44, and Salman Afzaal, 46, and family matriarch Talat Afzaal, 74, were killed. A nine-year-old boy also injured in the attack survived.
Tabinda Bukhari, the mother of Madiha Salman, was among those who spoke to reporters outside the Windsor courthouse moments after the verdict came down.
Nathaniel Veltman, 22, was found guilty of all counts against him.
A court date has been set for Dec. 1, when it's expected a sentencing hearing date will be determined. That hearing will be held in London at the Afzaal family's request, during which there will be victim impact statements and the judge will speak.
First-degree murder carries an automatic sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole for 25 years.
WATCH | Mother of a victim in the Muslim family attacks in London reacts to the verdict:
On behalf of the Afzaal family, Bukhari expressed gratitude to everyone who supported them over the last two-plus years.
"While this verdict does not bring back our loved ones, it is a recognition by the justice system that the perpetrator of these heinous crimes ... intended to instil fear and terror in our hearts.
"However, this wasn't just a crime against the Muslim community, but rather an attack against the safety and security of all Canadians.
"This trial and verdict are a reminder there is still much work to be done to address hatred in all forms that lives in our communities."
Imam Abd Alfatah Twakkal, chair of the London Council of Imams, said he's grateful for the support shown to the Muslim community since the incident.
"This is an important step towards making our streets safer," he said.
Twakkal also called for continued vigilance against Islamophobia and all forms of hatred, which he said many Muslims continue to experience.
"We have many community members that are visibly Muslim and they continue to express fears of walking down the street," he said.
London police Chief Thai Truong said the killings have taken a toll on the community and the officers involved in the investigation.
"There's never really closure in a tragedy like this, but it certainly provides a starting point for our offices to put this case behind everyone and themselves, and to move forward," he said. "The officers have been dealing with this for such a long time. Now [they] can get a sense of relief and start their healing process."
WATCH | WARNING: This video on verdict into the Muslim family killings has distressing content:
Mayor Josh Morgan issued a statement saying the city has more work to do to heal the painful wound the killings left in the Muslim community.
"No amount of justice can ever bring back Our London Family." said Morgan.
"While this represents an important step towards closure for the Muslim community, and our city at large, it is by no means the end of that journey. It is one that continues, and it is one that we will undertake together. Each of us has an obligation, as individuals and as a society, to combat and confront hatred in all its forms.
"This verdict does not absolve us of that responsibility. Instead, it must serve as an eternal reminder of the need to remain committed to this effort so that it never happens again."
Ali Chahbar, a Muslim who chairs London's Police Services Board, said the community faces a long road to healing.
"Justice to a degree was delivered to the extent that our system allows, but for a lot of people out there, the sentence today, while important ... speaks to a larger issue," he said. "There's still a lot of work that needs to be done."