Two people injured after stabbing at Edmonton Sikh temple, police say

Two people were injured after a stabbing incident at a Sikh temple in Edmonton on Friday, according to local police. The attack occurred around 5 a.m. at the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple, where a 27-year-old man allegedly used a screwdriver to stab two male worshippers, aged 51 and 75. Both victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at a hospital. The accused was also taken to the hospital following the incident. The confrontation began when the man attempted to enter the prayer area and was confronted by staff. The situation escalated quickly, leading to the stabbing. Witnesses reported that two other individuals present at the temple intervened to restrain the attacker. Zora Grewal, the temple's vice-president, stated that both victims were recovering and that one had been stabbed twice. He emphasized that the temple is solely dedicated to prayer and peace, adding that the community is not involved in political matters. The accused had recently been released from a federal prison on Thursday, having served approximately 20 months of a 31-month sentence for aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer. Police Chief Warren Driechel noted that the man did not report to the halfway house he was required to attend. Investigators, including members of the hate crimes unit, are examining the motive behind the attack. Staff Sergeant Eric Stewart mentioned that the accused has a long history of violent offenses dating back to 2015. The World Sikh Organization of Canada expressed deep concern over the incident, stating that it involved the desecration of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the central holy scripture of Sikhism. They highlighted their warnings about the rise of anti-Sikh sentiment in Canada and the potential for hate speech to lead to violence. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith condemned the attack, emphasizing the need for bail and parole reform. She expressed solidarity with the Sikh community in response to recent incidents of violence. Six days prior to the Edmonton attack, two Sikh temples in Calgary received threatening phone calls, though no arrests have been made in those cases, according to Calgary police. A member of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a prominent separatist group, made controversial remarks during an event, suggesting that in an independent Alberta, citizens should prioritize their personal security over the safety of police officers. The Prosperity Project later stated that the speaker, Ian Parkinson, had resigned from the organization and would no longer participate in its events. Recent efforts by governments and police agencies to address hate crimes have sparked debates over free speech and religious freedoms. Bill C-9, a federal anti-hate law, passed its final parliamentary stage in June despite opposition from Conservative MPs and religious groups concerned about potential restrictions on reading from religious texts. In Alberta, Premier Smith and several cabinet ministers criticized Edmonton police earlier this month for a social media post urging residents to report hate crimes. They argued that free speech is a fundamental Alberta value and opposed what they viewed as excessive policing of unpopular or religious-based statements.