EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this story stated that the suspect is a refugee claimant, based on RCMP and Edmonton police stating as such in a press conference. The office of the minister of public safety have since issued a statement clarifying that the suspect is a refugee, not a refugee claimant.
On Saturday evening, an Edmonton police officer was struck by a car and stabbed, and four pedestrians struck as the suspect fled in a U-Haul truck, in what authorities are calling a “lone wolf” terrorist attack.
The initial attack took place outside the Commonwealth Stadium, with the ensuing police chase proceeding to downtown Edmonton where the suspect, a 30-year-old Somali national, injured four pedestrians with his vehicle before eventually being apprehended.
Here’s what we know so far about the attacks:
Edmonton Police Const. Mike Chernyk attacked
The attacks began outside the Commonwealth Stadium, where some 30,000 spectators were in attendance to watch the Edmonton Eskimos take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a CFL game
At 8:15 p.m., a white Chevrolet Malibu rammed into a traffic barricade outside the stadium at high speed, striking Const. Mike Chernyk and sending him flying five metres into the air.
READ MORE: Vehicle attacks a growing trend in global terrorism
The suspect then exited the vehicle and stabbed Const. Chernyk several times with a large knife. Footage appeared to show the police officer wrestling with the driver on the ground, before the two get to their feet and the suspect flees across the street.
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WATCH: Edmonton Police release video of terror attack
Chernyk was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and later released. He is expected to make a full recovery.
An Islamic State flag was later found in the front seat of the car.
Police chase, pedestrians hit
Immediately following that incident, police checkpoints were set up in different parts of the city.
Just before midnight, a police officer pulled over a rented U-Haul truck at a checkpoint less than two kilometres away from the stadium, and asked to see the driver’s license. The police officer noticed the driver’s name was similar to that of the registered owner of the white Malibu that struck Const. Chernyk.
READ MORE: Timeline of vehicle attacks in 2017
When the officer returned to his vehicle to call for back-up, the suspect took off towards downtown Edmonton, and police began their pursuit.
Around 11:30 p.m., Global News reporter Laurel Gregory was wrapping up a live report for Global Edmonton’s News at 11, when a police officer asked her to take cover behind a tree or a car.
WATCH: Edmonton police tell Global reporter to move during chaotic Saturday night
Throughout the chase, the man intentionally tried to hit pedestrians, and nearly t-boned one vehicle, police later said. Witnesses saw the vehicle careening into an alley near The Pint pub, west of the downtown core, striking two people.
The manager of The Pint said the van “peeled” into an alley where people were smoking, with around 10 police cars in pursuit.
A bar customer was hit, and tended to by a bar employee who is also a registered nurse, before paramedics arrived.
READ MORE: Edmontonians turn to social media after attacks on police and pedestrians
An ambulance was also seen tending to someone near 107 Street and Jasper Avenue, just a couple of blocks down from The Pint.
Chief Knecht later said the victims’ injuries ranged from broken limbs to brain bleeds, with one victim suffering a fractured skull.
Suspect apprehended
As the police chase continued, the suspect showed no signs of slowing down or turning himself in, Knecht said in a Sunday press conference.
He said police carried out a “tactical maneuver” that caused the suspect’s vehicle to roll onto its side just outside the Matrix Hotel, just a few blocks away from the pub. Officers broke the windshield of the truck and used a stun grenade to distract the suspect.
A Taser was then deployed to incapacitate the suspect, who was then hauled out through the broken windshield.
A witness who was attending a wedding at the hotel tweeted photos of the scene.
The suspect was seen by a doctor and has since undergone questioning, Chief Knecht said.
Who is the suspect?
On Sunday, sources told Global News that 30-year-old Abdulahi Sharif of Edmonton is the suspect.
Police haven’t confirmed the identity of the suspect, but revealed that he is a Somali national who is in the refugee claimant system.
READ MORE: Sources identify 30-year-old Edmonton man as suspect in vehicle attacks
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Edmonton police offer details on terror attack, say officer released from hospital -
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Edmonton police list charges suspect in terror attack is under arrest for -
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Edmonton Police Chief says it appears attack was by lone individual -
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RCMP say Edmonton terror suspect was known to have extremist views -
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RCMP didn’t have ‘sufficient evidence’ on Edmonton terror suspect to continue previous investigation -
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2 victims in Edmonton terror attacks released from hospital, 2 still in hospital -
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RCMP, Edmonton police on social media response to terror attack
However, there was insufficient evidence at that time to charge the suspect with any terrorism charges, Degrand added. He declined to reveal when the suspect came to Canada.
Following his capture late Saturday night, the suspect is expected to be charged with terrorism charges, as well as five charges of attempted murder.
Aftermath
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale indicated that Canada’s terrorism threat level would not change as a result of the attacks, and would be left at “medium.”
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Police reveal details about suspect in Edmonton vehicle attacks -
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How the Edmonton terror attacks unfolded -
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Edmontonians react to Saturday’s vehicle attacks -
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Witnesses to aftermath of Edmonton attacks speak out -
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Edmonton rocked by vehicle attacks -
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Former Edmonton police officer talks about vehicle attacks
Asst. Comm. Degrand discouraged any kind of backlash against Muslims, reiterating that “this is an individual that is responsible for these crimes,” and insisting that “none of our citizens, Muslim or other, support this kind of activity.”
READ MORE: Terrorism has evolved from bombs and planes, to cars and knives
Edmonton police Sgt. Michael Elliott said the public reaction to the attack will be critical.
“We want our communities to come together. When events such as this occur and could potentially create a divide,” said Elliott.
“This has happened in Germany, France and England and now it has made it to our doorstep. Only together can we change the tide.”
— With files from Global News reporter Phil Heidenreich and the Canadian Press
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