Vancouver cop’s father among the dead in Barcelona terror attack

A Canadian killed in a terrorist attack on a popular street in Barcelona was described by his family as a man who enjoyed lively debate and travelling.

Ian Moore Wilson was the father of a Vancouver police officer.

Vancouver police issued a statement from the officer’s family saying Wilson was killed when a van plowed into crowds of tourists on Thursday.

Wilson is described as a loving husband to his wife Valerie Wilson of 53 years, a father, brother and grandfather who was “always game for a lively debate, a good book exploring new places, and a propersized pint.”

The family says they intend on focusing on “the extraordinary acts of human kindness” they’ve experienced despite the tragedy because that’s what Wilson would have wanted.

They say they’ve received support from Vancouver police, the RCMP, airlines and emergency responders in Spain who helped Wilson in his final moments and provided urgent medical care to Valerie Wilson.

“These are the things we will choose to focus on when we endeavour to come to terms with the senseless violence and acts of hatred that have taken loved ones before their time,” the statement said.

The family has asked that their privacy be respected.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Friday that in addition to the Canadian who was killed, four other Canadians were injured in the terrorist attack.

“It was with great sadness that I learned today that one Canadian was killed and four others injured during (Thursday’s) cowardly terrorist attack in Barcelona,” Trudeau said in a statement.

“Sophie and I offer our condolences to the families and friends in mourning, and hope for a speedy recovery for the injured Canadians.

“We join Spain and countries around the world in grieving the senseless loss of so many innocent people. We must stand firm against the spread of hate and intolerance in all its forms. These violent acts that seek to divide us will only strengthen our resolve.”

The details about those who were injured or their current condition has not been released. Canadian officials say they are in touch with the affected families.

In total 13 people were killed in Barcelona and another in a separate attack in the resort town of Cambrils south of Barcelona. As many as 100 were injured.

Spanish authorities said citizens from 34 different countries were among the dead and injured.

Canadian officials Friday still advised Canadians in Barcelona to avoid the Las Ramblas area, where Thursday’s attack occurred, and follow directions from local authorities.

Allan Gray and his family were in a Las Ramblas restaurant Thursday when they heard a loud crash and saw crowds of panicked people rushing to the back of the building.

Amid the commotion, the Mississauga, Ont., man ran with his wife and two daughters into an adjoining hotel where they huddled on an upper floor for the next five hours, flinching at the sound of gunshots and wondering whether movements in the stairwells were people trying to find safety or a potential terrorist about to launch another attack.

Gray, 50, said that the scariest part of the entire ordeal was not knowing what was going on.

“Everybody was panicking ... we just didn’t know what was going to happen,” Gray told The Canadian Press in an interview Friday. “Every little movement, every little bang was just horrific”