9 killed, 16 injured after van plows through pedestrians at Yonge and Finch

Nine people were killed and 16 injured after a van drove down the sidewalk on Yonge Street between Finch and Sheppard, plowing through pedestrians.

Toronto police confirmed the death count during an update just before 5 p.m.

Mayor Tory advised the public to stay away from the area and asked businesses in the immediate area to close.

Police say they were first called at around 1:30 p.m., and arrived on scene to find several bodies scattered throughout the area.

The driver fled, but was apprehended shortly after at Yonge and Sheppard. He is now in custody.

Public safety minister Ralph Goodale said it was too soon to draw any conclusions about Monday’s incident. He added that Canada’s risk level remains unchanged at Medium.