Family members and friends of those killed in last year’s Toronto van attack gathered for a somber ceremony to mark the anniversary.
The ceremony was delayed and rain forced it inside the North York Civic Centre. Toronto Fire Services chaplain Hugh Donnelly told those who lost loved ones, that the city shares their grief. The ceremony started with an emotional moment of silence, following by the names of the victims read aloud. Mayor John Tory attended and shared his personal story about arriving on the scene shortly after the van jumped the curb and struck the pedestrians. “You can’t wipe away the indelible memories when you witness some part of a tragedy,” said Tory. He also said the reason people admire Toronto so much, is because love always wins out over hate.
Ten people were killed and 16 were injured when a white rental van plowed into pedestrians along busy Yonge Street. Alek Minassian, was charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder. His trial is next February.