Canadian media published new details on Wednesday about the identity of the individual who ran over a Muslim family in a crime that shook the country. According to Canadian TV station "CTV," the main suspect in the crime is 20-year-old Nathaniel Vilmatan, who currently faces four counts of first-degree murder and a fifth count of attempted murder. Canadian police confirmed on Monday that the four members of the Canadian Muslim family who were killed by a pickup truck that mounted the sidewalk on Sunday were deliberately targeted in a hate crime motivated by anti-Islam sentiments. The crime occurred in the city of London, Ontario, and the only survivor from the Pakistani-origin family is a child named Fayez, who sustained injuries.
#### Acting Alone
According to Canadian media, Vilmatan was working part-time as a driver in an egg packing facility and has no known connections to organizations that promote hatred against Muslims, as he has never been charged with a hate crime before. Police believe he acted alone but still need to investigate his background and past activities, and they are considering charging him with terrorism.
#### "He Was Reserved and Religious"
The executive director of the facility expressed shock and sadness upon learning that one of their colleagues was involved in the mass murder, condemning the attack. The Canadian news website "Globe News" released photos showing Canadian security personnel at the egg facility as part of the investigation, though no statements were provided. Canadian police stated that there is evidence that the act was premeditated and that the family was targeted because of their Islamic faith. They apprehended Vilmatan seven kilometers from the incident site, specifically near a shopping center in London, and he was wearing a bulletproof vest at the time of his arrest.
One of the killer’s colleagues at the facility stated that he was reserved and spent most of his time alone, rarely speaking to others. The colleague added, "He was a quiet man, and I hadn't heard anything bad about him. I am shocked about his involvement in the mass killing," according to CTV. Another employee told "Globe News" that the killer worked with employees from various backgrounds without any issues. This employee, who is Muslim, mentioned that Vilmatan was "very Christian" and would quote the Bible in conversations, but he had never treated him poorly. Nathaniel Vilmatan left his family home as a teenager and has been working at his current company for four years.
