Police seek suspect in London, Ont. arson investigation, possibly motivated by hate

By Ricardo Veneza

Published: June 09, 2024 at 3:20PM EDT

Wateroak Drive surveillance video Surveillance video of person destroying pro-Palestinian signs in London, Ont. Source: Canadian Palestinian Social Association

The London Police Service is looking to identify a suspect in connection with a Saturday night fire in the city that is being may be related to a hate crime

It was around 10:40 p.m. when first responders were called to the scene in the area of Wateroak Drive where a home was on fire.

Crews were able to douse the flames, and no one was injured.

Investigators estimate the damage caused by the fire to be roughly $30,000.

"In addition to the instance from last night, we're aware of several other incidents that occurred at this property since the first week of May regarding property damage that was signed a threatening note that was left leading up to the events of [Saturday] night. The signs were signs that expressed support for Palestine," said London Det. Insp. Alex Krygsman in a video on X.

"We are treating this investigation as a hate-motivated incident," he added.

#UPDATE - Video statement by Detective Inspector Alex Krygsman in relation to the Wateroak Drive arson investigation.

A photo of the suspect is attached to our website. Investigators are appealing to anyone who has information about this incident or the person in these photos,… https://t.co/s6d2CkBiSB pic.twitter.com/r0kxxgkcVf
— London Police Service ON (@lpsmediaoffice) June 9, 2024

Suspect sought

Police report a lone mane walked to the address around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday and left with ‘some items’ from the home’s front yard, according to a news release from LPS.

It was around 10:30 p.m. when police say the same man returned and started a fire on the front porch before leaving.

The suspect is described as:

30 to 50 years old
Medium/heavy build
Grey shoes
Dark pants
Light grey zip-up sweater with vertical black accents under the arms
Dark-coloured toque
Medical mask

Wateroak Arson Suspect June 2024 The London Police Service has released an image of a suspect in an arson investigation following a house fire on Wateroak Drive on June 8, 2024. (Source: London Police Service).

Reaction to the arson has been swift and even included Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and members of his cabinet calling out the act.

My heart goes out to the Muslim family in London whose home was attacked last night in an act of hate.

Canadians have seen how dangerous and ugly Islamophobia is. We have to keep confronting it—wherever and whenever we see it.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) June 10, 2024

Last night, the home of a Muslim family in London, ON was set on fire in a horribly heinous act. This is absolutely unacceptable. Hate has no place in Canada.

My heart goes out to them. https://t.co/bIkZWONYIp
— Harjit Sajjan (@HarjitSajjan) June 10, 2024