Speculation unhelpful at this time, says industry expert about Toronto attack
Ellen Cools
News Public Sector annex attack conference board of canada satyamoorthy kabilan speculation the canadian press toronto vehicular attack“Speculation at this point is actually going to be very unhelpful,” says Dr. Satyamoorthy Kabilan, director of national security and strategic foresight at the Conference Board of Canada, in response to reports that a van had hit eight to ten pedestrians at Yonge and Finch in North Toronto around 1:30 p.m. on Monday.
According to The Canadian Press, at least seven people are in the hospital and one man is in custody after the van mounted a sidewalk. The extent of their injuries is unknown.
“Investigators did not immediately confirm fatalities but eyewitnesses said bodies covered by blankets could be seen in the area,” The Canadian Press reports.
“I know the temptation is there to try to work out every detail as to what happened, but that’s actually unhelpful in terms of the investigation [and] for people’s fear levels,” Kabilan says. “We don’t actually know what it is at the moment in terms of motivation.”
He suggests that the public watch trusted news feeds, such as the RCMP and the Toronto Police, for definite information on what’s happening.
“The motivation as well, that can be difficult to determine,” Kabilan says, referencing previous international incidents of vehicular attacks. “It sounds like the suspect has actually been arrested, so that might make some things a little easier, but it’s always a challenge in these types of situations.”
This is a developing story.
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