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UPDATE: Alek Minassian charged with 10 counts of first degree murder, 13 counts of attempted murder

(UPDATE: April 24 @ 2:40 p.m.) - The suspected perpetrator of yesterday's senseless killings in Toronto has been charged.

Alek Minassian, 25, appeared in court today and has been charged with 10 counts of first degree murder in relation to the 10 people who died during Monday's incident.

He's also been charged with 13 counts of attempted murder, which the Toronto Police say will increase to 14 once a few logistics have been sorted out.

<who>Photo Credit: LinkedIn/Getty Images

Police also talked about the victims when they addressed the media today, saying that it could be days before all of them are identified.

"We have not confirmed any of the identifications at this point and we are working to do that work carefully," said Dr. Dirk Huyer, chief coroner for Ontario.

"We clearly recognize and fully sympathize with the families, and we recognize the significance of those and their friends who are desperate to understand and to know the true identities of those who have died."

Huyer said identifying the victims is their number one priority and they have told some families that they believe their loved ones have passed, but nothing has been confirmed.

(UPDATE: April 24 @ 6:12 a.m.) - Toronto Police have confirmed that 10 people were killed, leaving 15 other in hospital, yesterday after a man drove a van into pedestrians.

The police now have the driver of the van in custody and have identified him as 25-year-old Alek Minassian of Richmond Hill.

“The actions definitely look deliberate,” said Chief Mark Saunders.

Saunders said the investigation is in its infancy and nothing has been ruled out.

“We’re working collaboratively not just on a local level but on a federal and provincial level,” he said, of working alongside law enforcement such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Ontario Provincial Police as well as different levels of government who have lent support. “We’re looking strongly at the exact motive.”

Police say that victims are still being identified.

(UPDATE: April 23, 2018 @ 1:50 p.m.) - Toronto Police Deputy Chief Peter Yuen addressed the media regarding today's tragic incident in Toronto.

Yuen says nine people are dead and another 16 have been sent to hospital with injuries after a white van drove erratically down Yonge Street and up onto the sidewalk.

The driver was brought into custody after a bizarre stand off with police, where it looked like he was brandishing some sort of weapon.

The man is currently being interrogated in custody and all available resources are working on the very active and ongoing investigation.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau addressed the situation through a tweet.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected by the terrible incident at Yonge and Finch in Toronto," he said. "Thank you to the first responders working at the scene – we're monitoring the situation closely."

Toronto Police aren't releasing any more information at this time, as the investigation is still in its very early stages.

(UPDATE: 12:05 p.m.) - Toronto mayor John Tory has released a statement regarding today's events in Toronto.

There has been a very tragic incident at Yonge Street and Finch Avenue. My thoughts are with those affected by this incident and the frontline responders who are working to help those injured. I have spoken to Chief Mark Saunders and my office is being updated by Toronto Fire, EMS, TTC and the acting City Manager. I am on my way to Mel Lastman Square right now for an update on the situation. I have offered any and all assistance that the City can provide to police to help this investigaiton.

Tory has now arrived on a scene and will address media shortly.

(Original story: 11:40 a.m.) - There are multiple injuries and possible fatalities after a van struck a number of pedestrians in Toronto.

Police were called to Yonge Street and Finch Avenue East at 1:27 p.m. EDT for reports of a white van driving erratically on sidewalks and striking a number of pedestrians.

The van, which is from a truck rental company called Ryder Canada, came to a rest on the sidewalk with significant damage to its front end.

According to the Associated Press, the driver of the van has been brought into custody.

No motive or reason for the incident has been identified, but witnesses report that the van was travelling with some speed.

This is a developing story and Toronto Police are about to address the media.

NowMedia will update this story as more information becomes available.



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