At about 05:00 local time on Friday, a man entered Edmonton’s Nanaksar Gurdwara and was confronted by staff. The exchange quickly escalated, and the man stabbed two worshippers before witnesses and other congregants forced him to retreat. Police, who received the call 15 minutes later, arrived promptly and detained the suspect.
The victims, a 75‑year‑old man and a 51‑year‑old man, were taken to hospital and are now reported to be in stable condition. They are described as worshippers who had entered the prayer area when the attack took place.
The suspect is a 27‑year‑old man who has a documented history of violent offences dating back to 2015. He was released from a federal prison in Alberta the day before the attack and did not report to his designated halfway‑house in Edmonton as required.
Charges are pending and police are examining whether the attack was motivated by a hateful ideology. The incident occurs against a backdrop of rising anti‑Sikh hate across Canada, a context noted by the World Sikh Organization.
Chief Warren Driechel urged the public for patience as investigations continue but highlighted growing concerns about hate crimes and the need to speak out against prejudice when it surfaces.
The Gurdwara has been closed to the public while authorities investigate a reported desecration of Sikh scripture within the temple premises.
Across the province, Calgary’s mayor Jeromy Farkas condemned earlier threats made on two Sikh Gurdwaras in the city, calling them "utterly disgusting" and reaffirming the community’s commitment to hospitality and service.
