Early‑Morning Stabbing at Edmonton Sikh Temple Leaves Two Injured

Sun Sep 06 2026 02:22:39 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Police arrested a 27‑year‑old man after a stabbing at Nanaksar Gurdwara injuring two worshippers. Investigation into motive continues amid rising anti‑Sikh tensions.

A man was arrested after a stabbing attack at Nanaksar Gurdwara in Edmonton early on Friday. 75‑year‑old and 51‑year‑old worshippers were stabbed but stable. Police suspect the attack may be hate‑driven, but motives are still under investigation. The incident follows earlier threats to Sikh temples in Calgary and nationwide. Sikh organisations condemn the violence and call for safety and accountability.

A man was arrested after injuring two people in an early morning stabbing attack at a Sikh temple in Edmonton, Canada, police said.

Officials said the attack inside the sprawling Nanaksar Gurdwara unfolded around 05:00 local time on Friday. The police did not identify the suspect or specify a motive.

The incident follows investigations into threatening calls made to two Sikh gurdwaras in Calgary a week earlier.

The World Sikh Organization said the attack is deeply troubling amid rising anti‑Sikh hate across Canada.

Police received reports at 04:49 of a man walking in traffic, and about 15 minutes later, spoke of a stabbing inside the temple.

They said a man had entered the Gurdwara and tried to access the prayer area, but was confronted by staff and the confrontation escalated.

As a result, two male patrons were stabbed. Quick‑acting witnesses detained the man, Police Acting Inspector Eric Stewart said at a press conference.

Both victims, a 75‑year‑old and a 51‑year‑old man, were not seriously injured and are in stable condition. Police described them as "worshippers" without further detail.

The suspect, a 27‑year‑old known to police with a violent history, had been released from a federal prison in Alberta the day before and failed to report to his designated halfway house in Edmonton.

Charges are pending, and police are investigating whether the attack was motivated by hateful ideology.

Edmonton police chief Warren Driechel urged patience as the investigation continues but acknowledged growing concerns about hate crimes.

"I see the heightened geopolitical tensions and increasing polarisation around the world showing up locally," he said. "These realities can’t be ignored, and we need to call them out when they happen. We cannot remain silent," he added.

The World Sikh Organization added that a copy of the Sikh scripture inside the temple was also desecrated in the attack, which police are looking into.

"Police are currently on scene and the Gurdwara has been closed to the public while the investigation continues," the Sikh organisation said in its statement.