Four killed in car attack in Canada — police say it was premeditated and 'motivated by hate'
Car attack in Canada - Police officers investigate the scene of a car crash that killed four people from a Muslim family. A 20-year-old driver of a pick-up truck had hit several people on Sunday evining killing four from a Muslim family. Police assumes the incident is motivated by hatred. - Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press via ZUMA/dpa

Following a car attack that killed four people from a Muslim family in Canada, police say they are assuming it was motivated by hatred.

"Investigators believe that this was an intentional act and that the victims were targeted because of their Islamic faith," a statement from police in London, Ontario, said on Monday.

"There is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate."

The incident had occurred on Sunday evening in London, not far from Toronto. In that incident, the 20-year-old driver of a pick-up truck had hit several people and was subsequently arrested.

According to the police, three adults and one teenager died, one child survived the attack.

"The victims were all members of the same family. The deceased include a 74-year-old female, a 46-year-old male, a 44-year-old female, and a 15-year-old female. One 9-year-old male remains in hospital with serious, but non-life-threatening injuries," police said.

The alleged perpetrator was charged with "four counts of first degree murder and one count of attempt murder."

He appeared in a London court on Monday in relation to the charges.