Morning prayers disrupted as two men are stabbed at Edmonton Sikh temple

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
August 22, 2026

Photo Courtesy: CBC

CANADA – Morning prayers at the Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple in Edmonton were disrupted Friday after a man armed with a screwdriver entered the temple and stabbed two men, police said.

The incident happened at around 5 a.m. in northeast Edmonton. A 27-year-old man was taken into custody after witnesses intervened and restrained him until police arrived.

The victims, aged 75 and 51, were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police said the suspect was also injured and hospitalized.

Edmonton Police Service Acting Inspector Eric Stewart said the suspect is known to police and has a significant history of violence. He was reportedly released from a federal institution on Thursday after serving a sentence for aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer, but failed to report to his designated halfway house.

Police have not identified a motive, while the EPS Hate Crimes Unit is investigating whether the attack was hate-motivated. Charges are pending.

Temple officials said one of the victims was a priest and the other a longtime volunteer. They also clarified that no Sikh sacred texts were damaged during the incident.

Nanaksar Gurdwara Gursikh Temple vice-president Zora Grewal said the attack was deeply shocking for a place intended for worship and peace.

“We love everybody. We don’t hate anybody,” Grewal said, adding that the temple would review security measures while remaining open as a place of prayer and community.