Two men stabbed at Edmonton gurdwara; suspect arrested, hate crime probe launched

Two men aged 75 and 51 sustained stab wounds in an attack at the Nanaksar Sikh Gurdwara in northeast Edmonton around 5 am local time on Friday. The suspect entered the prayer hall and attempted to access the inner sanctum before staff members confronted him, Edmonton Police Service (EPS) said.

The confrontation escalated into violence, resulting in the two men being stabbed. Quick-acting witnesses at the gurdwara detained the suspect before police arrived at the scene. Both victims were transported to hospital for treatment, though their current condition remains unclear.

EPS had received a report of a man walking in traffic shortly before the stabbing incident occurred. Acting Inspector Eric Stewart of EPS confirmed that the Hate Crimes unit has been mobilized to investigate whether the attack was motivated by religious bias or other factors.

The 27-year-old suspect remains in police custody. Authorities are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident and have not yet disclosed a motive.