Four members of a three-generation Muslim family in London, Ontario in Canada were killed after a 20-year-old man drove a truck into them while they were out for an evening walk, Canadian media CBC News reported.

The victims are a 76-year-old woman, her 46-year-old son, her 44-year-old daughter-in-law, and her 15-year-old granddaughter.

Only survivor is 9-year-old son

The incident happened on Sunday, June 6, with the youngest member of the family, a nine-year-old boy, being the sole survivor of the attack.

The BBC and Global News further reported that he is currently in hospital with serious injuries, although they are not life-threatening.

The family had been waiting at an intersection when a black pickup truck mounted the curb and hit them.

Charged with murder, terrorism charges also being considered

The suspect, Nathanial Veltman, has since been arrested in connection with the attack.

He was apprehended about 10 minutes from the scene on the same day, in the parking lot of a mall, and has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Terrorism charges are also being considered, with the police noting that the man had targeted the family because of their Muslim faith.

London Police Detective Superintendent, Paul Waight was further quoted by CNN as saying:

"There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate. It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslim. There is no known previous connection between the suspect and the victims."

Justin Trudeau condemns attack as an act of terrorism

Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, has since slammed the attack as an act of terrorism.

Speaking before the country's House of Commons, Trudeau said that "their lives were taken in a brutal, cowardly, and brazen act of violence."

He added, "This killing was no accident. This was a terrorist attack motivated by hatred in the heart of one in our community."

The Prime Minister also issued a message of solidarity with the country's Muslim community.

He said:

"We all hope that little boy will be able to heal from his injuries quickly even though we know he will have to live a very long time with the sadness, anger and incomprehension caused by the cowardly, Islamophobic attack."

London's mayor Ed Holder also issued a statement slamming the attack.

In decrying the incident as an "act of mass murder", he said that flags outside London's City Hall would be lowered for three days of mourning.

Worst attack against Canadian Muslims since 2017

The latest incident marks the worst attack against Canadian Muslims since 2017.

In January 2017, a Canadian man opened fire at the Quebec Islamic Cultural Centre, killing six worshippers and seriously injuring five others.

He was sentenced to life in prison.

Top image screenshot from Global News YouTube