Police told The Globe And Mail that a 20-year-old London, Ont., man deliberately struck down five members of a Muslim family with his truck in a hate-motivated act of mass murder, an attack that prompted an outpouring of grief and calls for the accused to face terrorism charges.

London mayor Ed Holder said in a statement: "This was an act of mass murder, perpetrated against Muslims, against Londoners, and rooted in unspeakable hatred."
Holder said he was speaking "on behalf of all Londoners when I say our hearts are broken". "We grieve for the family, three generations of whom are now deceased."

The police said the family members had gone out for an evening walk when the truck mounted the curb and struck them.

Four of the family members – a 74-year-old woman, a 46-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman and a 15- year-old girl died in the incident.

A nine-year-old boy only survived the incident.

He is currently in a hospital.

Police arrested  Nathaniel Veltman after the collision.

As a result of the investigation, Nathaniel Veltman, 20, of London, has been charged with four counts of first degree murder and one count of attempt murder.  He appeared in London court today in relation to the charges, London Police said in a statement.