---
title: "Suspect Arrested After Van Strikes Multiple Pedestrians in Toronto, Killing 9 People"
description: "Police in Toronto, Canada have arrested a suspect after a white cargo van drove onto the sidewalk of a busy thoroughfare in two separate locations and mowed down at least ten pedestrians, killing several—a horrific incident that left North America's fourth-largest city reeling and officials scrambling to determine a motive."
date: "2018-04-23"
modified: "2018-04-23"
authors:
  - name: "Kyle Cheromcha"
    job_title: "Editor-in-Chief"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kyle-cheromcha"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/20338/suspect-arrested-after-van-strikes-multiple-pedestrians-in-toronto-killing-9-people"
categories:
  - "News"
tags:
  - "Canada"
  - "Crime"
  - "Pedestrians"
  - "police"
  - "Toronto"
  - "Van"
---

# Suspect Arrested After Van Strikes Multiple Pedestrians in Toronto, Killing 9 People

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2018/04/ap_18113737827254.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Police in Toronto, Canada have arrested a suspect after a white cargo van [mowed down at least 25 people,](<https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43873804>) killing nine, in two separate locations along a busy thoroughfare—a horrific incident that left North America's fourth-largest city reeling and officials scrambling to determine a motive.

Just before 1:30 pm, the as-yet-unidentified driver of the van struck at least one person who was crossing Yonge Street, a major road in the city, in the North York area of Toronto. The driver then continued for a south for over a half a mile towards a pedestrian plaza and civic complex called Mel Lastman Square, where he mounted the curb and intentionally drove through a crowd of people before speeding away, [according to the *CBC*.](<https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/pedestrians-struck-white-van-1.4631564>)

https://twitter.com/_/status/988483903286472704

Due to the spread of the crime scene, it took police hours to confirm the exact number of injuries and fatalities. But late this afternoon, officials confirmed that at least 25 people had been struck by the van, 9 of whom died. Authorities warned that number could still rise, as several of the victims have suffered catastrophic injuries.

https://twitter.com/_/status/988515950659072000

Witnesses describe a gruesome, horrible scene, with victims being caught completely off guard by the speeding van.

"One by one, one by one," a man named Ali [told *The New York Times*](<https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/23/world/toronto-van.html?action=Click&contentCollection=BreakingNews&contentID=66872551&pgtype=article>)*,* describing the methodical attack. "Holy God, I’ve never seen such a sight before. I feel sick."

https://twitter.com/_/status/988504149653307392

The suspect then fled further down Yonge Street before being apprehended by an officer with the Toronto Police Department. Intense video captured by a witness shows the van pulled over on the sidewalk, with the driver standing in front of it and gesturing at the officer with an unknown object in his hands. After a few moments, perhaps realizing that the officer isn't going to shoot him, he drops the object and surrenders.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was in Ottawa at the time of the attack, told reporters that "our hearts go out to anyone affected" and said that officials were working to get more details.

## Author
Overseeing an expert staff of writers and editors from his lair in Los Angeles, Kyle shapes The Drive’s singular approach to covering the automotive industry and car culture. He’s been with the site as a writer since 2017, taking over as editor in 2019. On a daily basis, Kyle is responsible for directing The Drive's editorial news and car review content strategies, setting special coverage priorities, managing complex reporting projects, and ensuring what you read on the page meets our high internal standards for quality and trustworthiness. He is also the executive producer of The Drive's YouTube channel, which was relaunched in February 2024 to great acclaim and has accumulated over 14M new views in its first year back on the scene. He hosts a biweekly series on the channel where he breaks down fascinating and complicated stories from the automotive world.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/kylecheromcha.bsky.social>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/kylecheromcha>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-cheromcha-1550248a/>)