Toronto van attack suspect Alek Minassian: ‘I accomplished my mission’
- Minassian, who said he was a virgin, acknowledged he used the van as a weapon and said he wanted to inspire more attacks
- The 26-year-old faces 10 counts of first-degree murder in connection with the 2018 attack
Alek Minassian faces 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder in connection with the April 23, 2018, attack.
It drew attention to an online world of sexual loneliness, rage and misogyny after the suspect invoked an uprising by “involuntary celibates” and said he had contact with a California killer who seethed at women for rejecting him.
Minassian, 26, is accused of driving a rental van into crowds of pedestrians in a busy north Toronto neighbourhood. Eight women and two men ranging in age from 22 to 94 died. Minassian has yet to enter a plea. His trial begins in February, but a publication ban on his interrogation by police was lifted on Friday. The police interview took place just hours after the attack.
“I feel like I accomplished my mission,” Minassian said when asked by the detective how he feels about the death of 10 people.