There really aren’t enough words to describe how I and many people here in Toronto feel about what took place on our streets today.

Around 1:30 this afternoon, police received reports that a white van had drove onto the sidewalk in the Yonge & Sheppard/Finch area of the city and had struck everything, and tragically, everyone in its pathway.

The result?

10 people have been confirmed dead and 15 injured (read more here from our friends at CityNews)

 

Police are seen near a damaged van in Toronto after a van mounted a sidewalk crashing into a number of pedestrians on Monday, April 23, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Vincent Elkaim

 

Now, I won’t take the time to discuss whether this was a terrorist attack (I’ll leave that up to the survivors and their families who I can only imagine felt extreme terror today), but I do want to share with you some of the reaction from celebrities, athletes, politicians and locals, like myself have had as a result of today’s tragedy.

Politicians have offered their thoughts and prayers…

 

 

Celebrities and athletes have also offered their words of support…

 

 

In some sense, it’s perfect that the Toronto Maple Leafs, (arguably the most popular sports team in the city) are playing tonight in Game 6 of their NHL playoff matchup against the Boston Bruins.

You’d be hard pressed to find another sport that brings the city, and country together like hockey does.

Prior to tonight’s game, the Leafs held a moment silence for victims, and in true Canadian fashion, the crowd at the Air Canada Centre sang along to the Canadian national anthem.

 

https://twitter.com/barstoolsports/status/988558803074539520

 

Classy move by the Leafs opponent, the Boston Bruins, prior to the game as well…

 

 

While it’s great to see some reaction from high profile people, and organizations, local Torontonians have been hit hard today, with many sharing not just words of sadness and despair, but many have offered words of encouragement and resiliency…

 

People sign a memorial in Toronto after a van mounted a sidewalk crashing into a number of pedestrians on Monday, April 23, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

 

https://twitter.com/JaysTrain2Reign/status/988540603473408000

https://twitter.com/sandrabenven67/status/988502282928115712

https://twitter.com/Deadpool1973/status/988535921552355328

https://twitter.com/Lalisa1973/status/988502320324399105

https://twitter.com/TO_sportsgirl/status/988566633429028864

https://twitter.com/MatthewsIsALeaf/status/988531313555599361

 

If you’re wondering about friends or family in Toronto, Facebook has a crisis page set up for people to say that they’re safe, click HERE.

The events of today hit home for me, in a major way, as it did for many of us. But we are a strong bunch, a resilient bunch, and we won’t allow the events of April 23rd, 2018 to define our city.

Why?

Because we are #TorontoStrong.

 

@sangita_patel / Twitter
@sangita_patel / Twitter
Filed under: #TorontoStrong, Toronto