Edmonton (Alberta): Canadian police said an attack on an officer outside a football game with a car and knife, and a high-speed chase of a U-Haul van that left four other people injured in the western city of Edmonton, Alberta, are being investigated as acts of terrorism.
#BREAKING Five injured, suspect arrested as Canada police probe 'act of terrorism'
— AFP news agency (@AFP) October 1, 2017
Edmonton Police chief Rod Knecht said that officers took a suspect in custody and they think he acted alone. Knecht said an Islamic State group flag was found in the car that hit the officer. They later described him as a 30-year-old Edmonton man.
#BREAKING: Suspected ‘terror attack’ in Edmonton, Canada outside a football stadium. Cop attacked with a knife, 5 injured pic.twitter.com/cf26V5RSSV
— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) October 1, 2017
The attack began outside Commonwealth Stadium on Saturday night when police say a white Chevrolet Malibu rammed a traffic control barricade and sent an officer flying into the air 15 feet. A Canadian Football League game was in progress at the stadium.
#BREAKING: ISIS-flag wielding driver plows into Edmonton crowd in 'terror attack' https://t.co/DleQYcL6V0pic.twitter.com/4eWNL8Gkf3
— The Jerusalem Post (@Jerusalem_Post) October 1, 2017
Knecht said the driver, believed to be 30 years old, then got out and attacked the officer with a knife before fleeing on foot. The officer was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries while a manhunt was launched. "It's not critical," Knecht said.
A few hours later, a U-Haul van was stopped at an impaired driving check stop north of downtown on Wayne Gretzky Drive.
Knecht said the name of the driver was close to the name of the registered owner of the car that hit the officer.
He said the U-Haul then sped off toward downtown with police in pursuit.
Police say the U-Haul intentionally swerved at pedestrians at crosswalks throughout the chase. Four people were injured by the van, but the extent of their injuries was not immediately known.
The van eventually flipped near a downtown hotel and a suspect was arrested. Knecht said the man was known to police but did not release his name.
"It is believed at this time that these two incidents are related," Knecht said. "It was determined that these incidents are being investigated as acts of terrorism."
Knecht said Edmonton police are working with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police's national security enforcement team and other Canadian security agencies. Knecht told the public to remain vigilant and observant of their surroundings.
Knecht said police didn't call off the chase of the U-Haul due to the seriousness of the crime.
Witness Pat Hannigan told reporters that he saw police pull the man from the windshield of the toppled U-Haul.
He said 30 police cars were chasing the U-Haul.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said on Twitter that her thoughts are with the injured officer and she's hoping for a speedy recovery.
Published Date: Oct 01, 2017 07:02 pm | Updated Date: Oct 01, 2017 07:02 pm
