June 21, 2021
-Global News
LONDON, Ont. — A man facing terrorism charges for allegedly targeting and killing a Muslim family with his truck in southwestern Ontario will return to court next Monday.
Nathaniel Veltman, 20, made a brief court appearance via video on June 21, where the case was adjourned to June 28 to allow time to finalize the process of retaining a lawyer for Veltman.
He remains in custody at Elgin-Middlesex Detention Centre in London, Ont.
Veltman faces four first-degree murder charges and an attempted murder charge that prosecutors allege constitute an act of terrorism.
Police have said the attack on June 6 in London, Ont., was motivated by hate against the Islamic faith.
Today's appearance was less than 2 minutes long as we heard Nathaniel Veltman is set to be represented by a lawyer named Chris Hicks. 1 week adjournment requested to "finalize the retainer." Court resumes June 28 at 9:15 a.m. #LdnOnt
— Andrew Graham (@andrewjwgraham) June 21, 2021
Salman Afzaal, 46, his 44-year-old wife Madiha Salman, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna and her 74-year-old grandmother, Talat Afzaal were killed while out for an evening walk.
The couple’s nine-year-old son, Fayez, was seriously hurt.
The attack prompted a massive outpouring of support for the family and calls for all levels of government to address Islamophobia.
