Toronto attack: What exactly is an 'incel'?!

Alek Minassian, a 25-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont., man is shown in this image from his LinkedIn page. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout)

On Monday afternoon, one of Toronto’s busiest streets became the scene of a mass murder when a rented white Ryder van plowed into pedestrians, killing 10 people and injuring fifteen. 

Police have identified their suspect as Alek Minassian, a 25-year-old man from Richmond Hill, Ont. Minassian was apprehended on scene after a stand-off with police. Police are calling the act deliberate, however Toronto Police Chief Mark Saunders declined to discuss a motive during a news conference that was held Monday night.

In the tragedy’s aftermath, Toronto police officials have confirmed Minassian posted a cryptic message to Facebook minutes before the attack. The post has caused many to speculate that the motive for his behaviour was due to an intense hatred of women, and was part of an “incel rebellion.” While Toronto Police Det. Graham Gibson stated during the press conference that the victims were “predominantly female,” police have yet to confirm the connection.

The troubling post read, “The Incel Rebellion has already begun. We will overthrow all the Chads and Stacys. All hail the Supreme Gentleman Elliot Rodger!”

Facebook has confirmed that the post was published to an account that belonged to the suspect, and have since removed his profile from their platform.