The tone of their online discussions varies, sometimes there is mockery and sarcasm, but men who identify as “incels” generally express hatred towards women, accusing them of sexually manipulating or humiliating men.
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“I thank the first responders at the scene who managed this extremely hard situation with courage and professionalism”, he said.
According to the Associated Press, the driver of the van has been brought into custody.
Alek Minassian, 25, showed little emotion as he made a brief appearance in a Toronto courtroom in a white jumpsuit and handcuffs.
They said Mr Minassian was not previously known to them and his motives were still unknown.
“That particular situation yesterday, the way in which it went down was nothing short of remarkable”, Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders told a news conference Tuesday. He appeared in court the next day, [Tuesday, April 24] in North York, a north Toronto neighborhood where the attack took place.
Others killed included 80-year-old Dorothy Sewell; Munair Najjar, a citizen of Jordan who was in Toronto visiting family; two South Koreans, and a female student from Seneca College.
Shereen Chami told Reuters he would walk around the school, head down, hands clasped, making meowing noises. She said he was not violent.
He faces 10 charges of first degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder, although the Toronto Police Service reports that he injured 15 people.
“Police are obviously going to be very busy today and the days ahead to examine all the circumstances and the background to this situation, to determine exactly what happened and why”.
One witness told CNN network partner CTV that he was out for a cigarette when he saw the van hit a man walking through the intersection. People were getting hit, one after another.
A man who appeared to be Minassian’s father attended the hearing but offered no comment to reporters other than saying he had not spoken with him. At one point the suspect demands: “Kill me”.
CBS News has learned Minassian shouted to police to shoot and kill him. The man is yelling and extending one arm, pointing an object at an officer standing behind a black auto.
Still, the killings raised fears about Toronto’s vulnerability to a terrorist attack.
Although the attack had the hallmarks of recent deadly vehicle assaults by Islamic State supporters in the United States and Europe, federal officials said it did not represent a larger threat to national security.
Asked if there was any evidence of a terrorist link, Mr Saunders said: “Based on what we have there’s nothing to compromise national security at this time”.
The incident occurred as Cabinet ministers from the major industrial countries were gathered in Canada to discuss a range of global issues in the run-up to the G7 meeting near Quebec City in June.
And what about Alex Minassian?
Meanwhile, the man suspected in the incident was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning. The video showed the suspect repeatedly pulling an object from his side and aiming at police.
“Not me. No connection. C23249161”, the confirmed Facebook post reads.
The incident prompted police to beef up security and close several streets around the Air Canada Centre Monday night for the Toronto-Boston NHL playoff game.
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Mike McCormack of the Toronto Police Association said Tuesday “We’re extremely proud of him”, and adds, “He may have prevented additional deaths”.
