Episode 353: On April 23, 2018, a bright spring afternoon turned into a nightmare when a rented van plowed through pedestrians along Yonge Street in North York, a Toronto neighbourhood. In just minutes, 10 lives were tragically lost, and 16 others were injured; one of those later passed away from her injuries, bringing the death toll to 11. The community was left mourning, and the country grappled with questions of how and why such a senseless act could occur.  

The man behind the wheel was 25-year-old Alec Minassian, a self-proclaimed member of the so-called "incel" community—short for "involuntary celibate." This online subculture, rooted in misogyny and resentment, has been linked to acts of violence, often targeting women. Minassian’s actions that day were not random; they were a calculated act of terror fueled by a toxic ideology that glorifies hatred and violence against those perceived as rejecting or oppressing men like him.  

Sources:

Backgrounder: Yonge Street Incident | Toronto.ca

Alek Minassian Case: Agreed Statement of Facts | PDF

Alek Minasssian Trial | PDF

Alek Minassian Interview | PDF

Diverting Hate - Bi-Annual Report September 2023 | PDF

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April 24, 2018 episode transcript | CBC Radio

TPSNews.ca | Stories | Witnesses Sought to Yonge-Finch Investigation

Toronto van attack: Eyewitness accounts

Witnesses say they are still struggling nearly 1 year since the deadly Toronto van attack

Alek Minassian booked by police after Toronto van attack - YouTube

Alek Minassian confesses in police interview after Toronto van attack - YouTube

Toronto police on Const. Ken Lam, officer who arrested van attack suspect - YouTube

How this Toronto officer 'courageously' got the van attack suspect in custody without firing a shot | CBC News

Toronto van attack suspect says he was 'radicalized' online by 'incels'

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Alek Minassian admits to planning, carrying out Toronto van attack | Globalnews.ca

Toronto van attacker sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years | Globalnews.ca

Toronto van attacker sentenced to life in prison, no parole for 25 years

2021 ONSC 1258 (CanLII) | R. v. Minassian | CanLII

Why attackers use vehicles as weapons to kill innocent people in crowds

Vehicle Ramming: The Evolution of a Terrorist Tactic Inside the US

Democratization of terrorism: an analysis of vehicle-based terrorist events by Ryan Scott Houser

Elliot Rodger meticulously planned Isla Vista rampage, report says

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