TORONTO, Aug 22: Two men, including a priest, were injured after a 27-year-old man allegedly stabbed them with a screwdriver inside a gurdwara in Edmonton, Canada, prompting police to investigate whether the incident was hate-motivated.
The incident occurred at Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara in northeast Edmonton around 5 am on Friday, according to the Edmonton Police Service (EPS). Police said the suspect entered the gurdwara and attempted to gain access to the prayer area before being confronted by staff.
The confrontation escalated, resulting in two men, aged 75 and 51, being stabbed, police said.
Witnesses intervened and restrained the suspect until officers arrived and arrested him. The two injured men were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the suspect was also hospitalised after sustaining injuries.
Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with the Sikh community.
"The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling," Carney said, adding that no one should feel unsafe in a place of worship.
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith also condemned the violence and called for reforms to federal bail and parole laws, saying everyone has the right to feel safe in their communities and places of worship.
Police said the suspect was known to authorities and had an extensive history of violent attacks dating back to 2015. He had reportedly been released from a federal prison in Alberta a day before the incident but failed to report to his designated halfway house in Edmonton.
The EPS Investigative Response Team has taken charge of the probe and is working with the Hate Crimes Unit to determine whether the attack was motivated by hate. Charges against the suspect are pending.
Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple vice-president Zora Grewal identified the injured men as a temple priest and a longtime volunteer. He said the suspect allegedly used a screwdriver to repeatedly stab the priest before attacking the elderly volunteer.
Police said no Sikh scripture was damaged in the incident.
EPS Chief Warren Driechel said the violence could have resulted in more serious injuries or fatalities and stressed that such violence had no place in Edmonton.
The World Sikh Organisation of Canada has urged gurdwaras across the country to review and strengthen their security arrangements and remain vigilant.
The stabbing comes days after two Sikh temples in Alberta received threatening phone calls. Calgary Police said the temples, both in northeast Calgary, received threats from the same number on August 15.
