Edmonton Sikh temple stabbing suspect had been just released from jail

Two men were stabbed at a Sikh temple in northeast Edmonton early Friday morning.

Edmonton police said officers responded to the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara near 14th Street and Horsehill Road at approximately 5:08 a.m. on Aug. 21.

Police say the suspect entered the gurdwara and attempted to access the prayer area when he was confronted by staff. The confrontation then escalated, and two male worshippers were stabbed.

Witnesses intervened and detained the suspect until police arrived at 5:10 a.m. and took him into custody.

The victims, aged 71 and 75, were treated at the scene by EMS before being taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Police said in a press conference Friday that charges are pending against a 27-year-old man.

The suspect was known to police and had a “significant” and lengthy criminal history, including violent offences. Edmonton police said he had been released from prison on Thursday after serving time for aggravated assault, but failed to report to a halfway house.

Investigators are still working to determine how the suspect reached the temple, located in a relatively isolated part of northeast Edmonton.

The EPS Hate Crimes Unit is working with police to investigate whether the stabbing was motivated by hate.

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Edmonton Mayor Andrew Knack said he was “deeply horrified” by the attack and extended his sympathies to the victims and their families.

Knack said the attack could not be viewed as an isolated incident, particularly amid a rise in anti-Sikh hate in Alberta.

“Hate, racism, and prejudice have no place in our city,” he said.

The World Sikh Organization said in a press release Friday that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the central holy scripture of the Sikh faith, was reportedly attacked during the incident.

“We are deeply troubled by what has happened at Nanaksar Gurdwara this morning, but unfortunately we cannot say that we are surprised,” said president Danish Singh.

“We have been warning for quite some time that anti-Sikh hate is rising in Canada and that, if it is allowed to continue unchecked, hateful rhetoric can translate into threats and actual violence.”

The gurdwara has been closed to the public while police investigate.