Toronto van attackThe dark possible motive of the Toronto van attacker
Like other Canadians, I was horrified upon learning of a van attack along Toronto’s famed Yonge Street this week. Struggling to make sense of it, my first question was: “Why?” As it turns out, the attack was possibly a disturbing reprise of a similar massacre, targeting mostly women and perceptively “sexually active” men in the California community of Isla Vista in May 2014.
Like other Canadians, I was horrified upon learning of a van attack along Toronto’s famed Yonge Street this week. Struggling to make sense of it, my first question was: “Why?”
As it turns out, the attack was possibly a disturbing reprise of a similar massacre, targeting mostly women and perceptively “sexually active” men in the California community of Isla Vista in May 2014.
Facebook has confirmed that a final pre-attack post of the suspect in Toronto’s van attack is real, and was a salute to Elliot Rodger. The deranged American misogynist published his manifesto bemoaning his involuntary celibacy prior to his Isla Vista shooting and driving spree that killed six.
I wrote about that case and the earlier, lesser-known case of George Sodini in Pennsylvania in 2009 in my recent book, Murder in Plain English, and the signs that were missed about Rodger in particular.
Rodger has apparently now become, in a disturbing twist, the martyr for a larger “incel” (short for involuntary celibacy) subculture. He shot and killed himself in his BMW after colliding with a parked car during his rampage.
The Toronto case, as we know, ended differently. Const. Ken Lam was captured on cellphone video arresting the van attack suspect and doing so without firing a shot.
This despite having his service weapon drawn, while the suspect pantomimed having a pistol of his own.
In fact, the suspect also announced he had a gun while engaging in what appeared to be a well-rehearsed quick draw involving a mobile device made to look like a handgun, all in a bid to have the officer shoot and kill him.
It’s what is often called “suicide by cop” and it’s a preferred ending among some of the odious and cowardly offenders out there, including lone-wolf terrorists.
