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VAN SUSPECT REVEALED

Who is Alek Minassian, what did the Toronto attack suspect post on Facebook and where is he from?

A SUSPECT held after ten people were killed and 15 others injured when he "deliberately" drove a van on a pavement in Toronto has been revealed as a "socially awkward" student.

Alek Minassian was arrested following a stand off in Canada following the carnage on April 23. Here's what we know...

 Suspect Alek Minassian, 25, was arrested and remains in custody
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Suspect Alek Minassian, 25, was arrested and remains in custodyCredit: Linkedin

Who is Alek Minassian?

The 25-year-old's LinkedIn profile says he is a student at Seneca College.

It also listed him as a software developer who was working on a number of apps - including one to find parking spots in the area.

College pals have described Minassian as "socially awkward".

Joseph Pham, 25, who took a computer programming class with Minassian at Seneca told : "He kept to himself. He didn’t really talk to anyone."

Another classmate said he had a "significant social or mental disability" claiming he had several physical ticks including shaky hands and tapping his head.

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Cops pinned the 25-year-old to the ground without firing a shot after a high pressure stand off unfolded

What did Minassian post on Facebook?

The suspect has not been linked to any terror groups and was not known to local authorities.

But a Facebook post apparently written by him referred to the "Supreme Gentleman Elliot Rodger," reports.

Rodger, 22, was responsible for a deadly rampage in Isla Vista, California, that left six people dead and a dozen more injured in 2014.

Mark Saunders, Toronto police chief, said: "Based on what we have there's nothing that has it to compromise the national security at this time."

Where is Minassian from?

The student is from Richmond Hill - a northern suburb of Toronto.

His home was searched by cops while he was quizzed in custody.

There has been some speculation online that Minassian may be Armenian because of his surname but no details have been released.

 

 A body lies covered after being hit by the speeding van
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A body lies covered after being hit by the speeding vanCredit: Getty Images - Getty

What happened in the Toronto van attack?

Ten people were killed and 15 others injured when a van ploughed into pedestrians in Toronto on April 23.

The driver carried on for more than a mile after mounting the kerb leaving bodies strewn in his wake.

A woman pushing a stroller and elderly members of the public were among those flung into the air by the speeding rental truck at 1.30pm local time (5.30pm BST).

Witnesses described the attack as "a war zone" after the white rental truck drove up to 70mph for a mile along the busy street.

A tense stand-off then ensued between Minassian and police, which saw him yell at officers to "shoot him in the head".

Minassian was seen aiming a dark object at police who were ordering him to "get on the ground".

Cries of "kill me" rung out in the street as police tried to diffuse the situation.

Eventually brave cops pinned him down against a squad car without firing a shot.

The bloodbath unfolded just 18 miles from G7 ministers, including Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, who were meeting to discuss terrorism and cyber security.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the "tragic and senseless attack" had brought him "great sadness".

Police chief Mark Saunders said: "The incident definitely looked deliberate."

Has Alek Minassian been charged?

Minassian has now been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.

He appeared briefly in court at 1000 Finch Ave. W. the day after the attack wearing a white jumpsuit and with his hands cuffed behind him in the prisoner’s box.

He gave his name very quickly in court.

Minassian’s eyes darted around as he listened to what the duty counsel was saying, but he wore a stony-faced expression for the duration of the hearing.

Aftermath of Toronto horror crash leaves smashed glass and personal items behind

 

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