STATEMENT FROM CHIEF THAI TRUONG
Our London Family Five-Year Anniversary 

LONDON, ON (June 5, 2026) – As we approach the five-year anniversary of the loss of Our London Family, we pause to remember, to grieve, and to reflect.

On June 6, 2021, four members of the Afzaal family were murdered in a horrific, hate-motivated terrorist attack while out for an evening walk in their northwest London neighbourhood. Three generations of one family were taken. A young boy survived but had his family taken from him. In that moment, a family was destroyed, a community was devastated, and our city was forever changed.

There are moments in the history of a community that leave a mark that never goes away. This was one of those moments for London.

The murder of the Afzaal family forced all of us to confront a painful truth: hate exists here too. Islamophobia exists here too. And when hate is left unchecked, when people are targeted because of who they are, how they look, what they wear, or what they believe, the consequences can be devastating and deadly.

We must never forget that.

But we must also remember what London showed in the days, weeks, and years that followed. We saw people come together in grief, compassion, solidarity, and determination. We saw Muslim Londoners supported by neighbours, friends, faith communities, community leaders, and people from across our city who refused to allow hate to define us.

Together with the members of the London Police Service, we remember and honour the Afzaal family. We remember them not only for what was taken, but for what their memory continues to inspire in this city: unity, compassion, courage, and a responsibility to stand up against hate in all its forms.

Our hearts remain with everyone who knew and loved them, with the Muslim community, and with all those whose lives were forever changed by this tragedy. We also continue to hold in our hearts the young boy who survived this unimaginable attack, and we recognize the lifelong loss, trauma, and courage carried by him and by those closest to the family.

I also want to acknowledge that anniversaries like this are not easy. They can reopen pain and trauma for family members, friends, the Muslim community, witnesses, first responders, health care professionals, members of the London Police Service, and many across our city who still carry the weight of that night.

To the citizens who ran to help, to the first responders and health care professionals who provided care in the most difficult circumstances, and to the officers who responded with professionalism, compassion, and courage, thank you. Your actions reflected the very best of London. Even in one of our darkest moments, humanity was present.

As Chief of Police, I want to be clear: Islamophobia, hate, violence, and discrimination have no place in London. The London Police Service will continue to stand with Muslim Londoners, with all faith communities, and with every person and community targeted by hate. Everyone deserves to feel safe in this city. Everyone deserves to worship, gather, walk through their neighbourhood, and live freely without fear.

At a time when many communities are feeling heightened fear, tension, and vulnerability, our responsibility remains clear. The London Police Service will continue to maintain increased patrols around places of worship across our city, and we will continue to strengthen relationships through our Community Policing, Hate Crime, and Outreach units.

But our commitment cannot only be measured by what we say on anniversaries. It must be measured by what we do every day: by listening, building trust, encouraging the reporting of hate, supporting victims, and working with communities to prevent hate before it escalates into violence.

Five years later, we remember the Afzaal family. We grieve with the Muslim community. We stand with every person impacted by hate.

And we reaffirm, together, that hate has no place in London.