Van Mounts Curb in Toronto, Injures at least 8 Pedestrians

Van Mounts Curb in Toronto, Kills 10 People and Injures 15

The driver of the van fled after jumping the curb and injuring at least eight people.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • Apr 24, 2018

Police in Toronto say a van jumped the curb on a fairly crowded street on Monday afternoon killing 10 people and injuring 15 more.

Authorities continue to investigate whether the incident was intentional, but police have said that the driver of the van attempted to run after jumping the curb and injuring several pedestrians. Witnesses from the scene say the van was in full control as it rammed into pedestrians, mailboxes, electrical poles, benches and a fire hydrant.

Several politicians in Canada have identified the incident as an "attack" but police have not found any indicators that the suspect was associated with any terror groups.

The driver, a 25-year-old man, was not previously known to authorities and was taken into custody without issue just minutes after the van came to a stop after driving on the sidewalk for nearly one kilometer, or just over a half a mile. The arresting officer told the media that the driver did have a gun on him and attempted to brandish it in front of officers, but when police shouted, "Get down!" the suspect did.

The incident occurred on Yonge Street, which is described as Toronto's most popular road, and is widely celebrated as the longest street in Canada. Authorities say that while the van only jumped the curb in one place, the majority of the pedestrian fatalities and injures were located in two different.

While officials have not linked the vehicle crash with any terror groups, it is reminiscent of attacks by Islamic State supporters using vehicles that have shaken up Nice, France, Berlin, Barcelona, London and New York.

The suspect is due in court Tuesday. Follow @SecurToday on Twitter for timely updates.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

  • Security Today Announces 2025 CyberSecured Award Winners

    Security Today is pleased to announce the 2025 CyberSecured Awards winners. Sixteen companies are being recognized this year for their network products and other cybersecurity initiatives that secure our world today. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.