EDMONTON: Two people were injured in a stabbing at a gurdwara in Edmonton on Friday morning, with police arresting a 27-year-old man who had been released from federal prison a day earlier after serving a sentence for assaulting a peace officer.
The attack took place at the Nanaksar Gurdwara at around 4:49am local time, shortly after police received reports of a man walking in traffic on a highway. About 15 minutes later, officers were alerted to a stabbing inside the gurdwara.
Police said the suspect entered the gurdwara and attempted to gain access to the prayer area before being confronted by staff.
“The confrontation then escalated, and two male patrons of the Gurdwara were stabbed. Thankfully, quick-acting witnesses intervened and detained the man,” Acting Inspector Eric Stewart of the Edmonton Police Service said at a press conference.
The victims, aged 75 and 51, were taken to hospital. Police said both suffered non-serious injuries and were in stable condition.
Suspect released from prison a day earlier
Police said the suspect had an extensive history of violent attacks dating back to 2015. He was released from a federal prison in Alberta on Thursday after serving a sentence for assaulting a peace officer, but subsequently failed to report to his designated halfway house in Edmonton.
Charges against the suspect are pending. Police have not established a motive and are investigating whether the attack was driven by a hateful ideology.
Edmonton police chief Warren Driechel urged the public to allow investigators to establish the suspect’s motivations, while acknowledging concerns about rising hate crimes.
“I see the heightened geopolitical tensions and increasing polarisation around the world showing up locally,” he said. “These realities can’t be ignored, and we need to call them out when they happen. We cannot remain silent.”
Carney condemns attack
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the injured and the wider Sikh community.
“The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling. My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and the wider community that is shaken by this terrible event. No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship,” Carney said in a post on X, while thanking the Edmonton Police Service for its swift response.
The World Sikh Organization of Canada described the incident as deeply troubling and said it occurred amid concerns over rising anti-Sikh hate in the country.
The organisation also alleged that a copy of Sikh scripture inside the gurdwara was desecrated during the attack. Police said they were aware of the report and were investigating.
The gurdwara has been closed to the public while the investigation continues.
The incident came days after police in Calgary, about two hours south of Edmonton, confirmed they were investigating threatening calls made to two Sikh gurdwaras in the city.
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas condemned the threats, describing them as “utterly disgusting”.
“Gurdwaras are places of hospitality, generosity and service. Everyone is welcome,” Farkas said.
