Two people were stabbed inside a Canadian gurdwara on Friday — sparking widespread outrage and police investigation into the possibility of a hate crime. Prime Minister Mark Carney has since condoled the incident and dubbed the attack “appalling” in a social media message. The suspect was taken into custody mere minutes after the attack as “quick acting witnesses” intervened.

“The attack at the Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton this morning is appalling. My thoughts are with the two people who were injured and the wider community that is shaken by this terrible event. No one should ever feel unsafe in their place of worship,” Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote on X.

The incident took place at Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara in northeast Edmonton around 5:00 am (local time) on Friday. Two people were taken to the hospital with stab injuries and the suspect was detained. The incident remains under investigation by the Hate Crimes unit of Edmonton Police.

What led to the attack?

According to a PTI report citing officials, two people were stabbed inside the gurdwara by a 27-year-old armed individual. The suspect had reportedly entered the gurdwara and attempted to access the prayer area before he was confronted by staff. The police said two men, aged 75 and 51, were stabbed as the confrontation escalated.

An official statement indicated the police had “received reports of a male walking in traffic”along the highway mere minutes before the attack. The police said they had begun receiving reports about a stabbing at the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara at approximately 5:05 am.

“Witnesses intervened and detained the man until Northeast Branch patrol officers arrived at 5:10 am and immediately took him into custody. EMS also responded, treated and transported a 75-year-old male and a 51-year-old male to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,” the Edmonton Police said in a statement. 

Hate crime investigation launched

The EPS Investigative Response Team has assumed leadership of the investigation and is working in close coordination with the EPS Hate Crimes Unit to determine whether the attack was hate-motivated. Official charges against the suspect are currently pending. While initial reports had suggested that a Sikh scripture may have been attacked in the incident, temple officials told CBC News that no sacred texts were damaged.

“We are thankful that this morning’s event did not result in more significant injuries or deaths but also recognize that the trauma experienced by the victims and their community cannot be understated. This level of violence has no place in our city, and we want to assure the Sikh community and all Edmontonians that we are taking this incident and their safety seriously,” the official statement quoted EPS Chief Warren Driechel as saying. 

The Canadian city had previously made headlines in December 2024 after a 20-year-old Indian was fatally shot by two people. The Ministry of External Affairs had also taken umbrage after a temple was vandalised in the region a few months prior.