The ongoing trial of Nathaniel Veltman, 22 years old from Windsor, Ontario, entered its third day on Monday. Previously pleading not guilty, Veltman faces four charges of terrorism-motivated first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder of the same type.
Veltman acknowledged openly on trial kick-off that he operated the vehicle involved in the horrific crash on the Afzaal family in London, Ontario, on June 6, 2021, which resulted in the death of four individuals and severe injury of a fifth.
During the preceding evening, Veltman shared with the jury his spontaneous journey to Toronto. While expressing uncertainty about the exact reason, he admitted to being drawn to Toronto’s high Muslim population. Dressed in his bulletproof vest and tactical helmet, he ventured to the city with the intent to plan an attack. His objective, however, was thwarted by his scattered thoughts and confusion regarding his presence in the city.
Veltman chronicled his internal conflict, describing a strong impulse to confront a group of Muslims he came across. Despite the compelling urge, he confessed to feeling deeply wrong about harming others, which led to his urgent return to London via back roads.
His testimony delved into his personal history, his struggle with mental health issues and a rigorous religious upbringing. He attributed a significant “period of decline” in 2020 to a terrifying encounter with the hallucinogenic drug, psilocybin (often referred to as magic mushrooms). The adverse effects of a subsequent consumption, coupled with the grief of his grandmother’s death, catapulted him into a debilitating state that hindered his functional capacity.
Veltman portrayed his internet addiction and immersion in far-right extremist content as contributing elements to his unstable mindset. Consequently, his tendency to nurture violent thoughts escalated, turning his mere fantasies into imminent reality.
Returning home on June 6, 2021, Veltman expressed his repulsiveness over his actions in Toronto. He spent the day in agitation at work and later stumbled upon a Muslim donned family while returning. An unsettling flurry of emotions resurrected within him, mirroring the previous uneasiness he felt in Toronto.
Feeding his agitation with more extremist content online, Veltman harbored the belief that his “violent urges” would eventually lead to an end of the perceived Muslim atrocities. This route of thought led him to prepare for a confrontation and embark on a drive with his tactical gear and weapons.
In the course of such drive, he unexpectedly encountered the victims and his story was temporarily paused at this point by Defence lawyer Christopher Hicks. The trial was then adjourned and set to resume Tuesday morning.
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