4 people killed in suspected hate crime in London, Ontario

Ontario: A man struck and killed four pedestrians with his vehicle in a suspected "premeditated" hate crime, police in the Canadian city of London, Ontario, announced on Monday.

"We believe this was an intentional act and that the victims of this horrific incident were targeted," Police Chief Steve Williams said. "We believe the victims were targeted because of their  faith."

The 20-year-old alleged attacker struck five people in the hit and run attack, police said.

"To the  Muslim community in London and to people across the country, know that we stand with you. Islamophobia has no place in any of our communities. This hate is insidious and despicable — and it must stop,'' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Twitter.

Witnesses told the Global News network they saw the vehicle come over the median strip and added it looked like it had come from the other side of the road.

The driver was arrested in the car park of a nearby mall and faces four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

Detective Superintendent Paul Waight said police were consulting with the Royal Mounted Canadian Police and prosecutors on potentially filing terrorism charges.