The driver of a van has fled the scene after striking 8-10 pedestrians in Toronto Monday.
This article was updated 2:30 PM EST: Police have arrested a suspect; two people are dead, according to authorities.
Update at 3:47 PM EST: FIVE DEAD, POLICE SAY.
Update at 4:30 PM EST: TEN DEAD, 16 INJURED!
Update at 6:25 PM EST: Sources say suspect is Alek Minassian.
Witnesses say ‘shoes and hats were flying everywhere’. A person pushing a stroller was also struck by the van, CTV News reported.
The suspect also pointed a black object at Toronto police and claimed he had a gun, CTV News reported.
Witness of arrest said the black object was a cell phone, not a gun.
Witnesses also say the driver was speeding and appeared in control.
CTV News reported:
Police say a white van has struck numerous pedestrians in Toronto.
The incident happened at the busy intersection of Yonge Street and Finch Avenue, according to the Toronto Police Service. Initial estimates suggest eight to 10 people were struck.
The extent on injuries is unknown and ambulances are on the scene.
Photos posted online show multiple individuals on the ground.
Toronto paramedics are advising people to stay out of the area of Yonge Street near Finch and Sheppard Avenue.
Subway service has been suspended between the TTC’s Sheppard and Finch stations. No replacement shuttle services will be operating.
Police have arrested a suspect after a white van mounted the curb and struck numerous pedestrians in Toronto.
Video shared with CTV News shows the suspect pointing a small, dark object at police, with his back to the van. Police can be seen taking cover behind their vehicle and shouting at him to get down.
“Get down!” the officer is heard shouting.
“I have a gun in my pocket,” the suspect can be heard saying.
“Get down or you’ll be shot!” the officer says.
The camera turns away from the confrontation for approximately eight seconds, then looks back to show the suspect on the ground, face-down, with the officer cuffing him.
Another video recorded from a nearby building shows the moment missed in the previous video. The suspect can be seen walking out in the street with the object in his hand still pointed at the officer. After approximately five seconds he drops the weapon, throws out his arms and backs up to the curb.
VIDEO of scene:
#BREAKING: Van strikes “numerous pedestrians” in Toronto, police say: 8-10 injured. Driver fled the scene pic.twitter.com/9vnaa7Q70d
— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) April 23, 2018
Update on status of victims struck by a driver of a white van. Police say two people have died:
White van that hit 8-10 people on Yonge Street appears to be a rental. At least 2 dead according to police.
— Farah Nasser (@FarahNasser) April 23, 2018
Although not confirmed, a witness says driver looked “wide-eyed, angry and Middle Eastern.”
#BREAKING Witness to truck ramming into pedestrians tells local Toronto TV station that the driver looked wide-eyed, angry and Middle Eastern.
— Natasha Fatah (@NatashaFatah) April 23, 2018
Video of suspect being arrested by Toronto police:
Footage of the suspect that allegedly rammed a van into a crowd of people in #Toronto being arrested.
Read more HERE: https://t.co/25YxYlMYNA pic.twitter.com/b4r6UNIglS
— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) April 23, 2018
More footage of the carnage: (VIDEOS)
Chaotic scene on Yonge St. Paramedics treating people everywhere. Some have been pronounced dead on scene. pic.twitter.com/u2RL4BhgQs
— Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyGlobalTV) April 23, 2018
“There are bodies all over Yonge street”
There are bodies all over Yonge Street right now. pic.twitter.com/dABsJlTa5z
— Jeremy Cohn (@JeremyGlobalTV) April 23, 2018
Story developing…please refresh the page for updates.