An explosion rocked a residential area in Strathroy, Ontario on August 10th. It was followed by a gunshot. A few critical seconds that ended the life a troubled young man, a family’s hopes for his restoration and the threat of a terror attack that could have killed countless innocent people.

Aaron Driver’s name has been associated with controversial religious views for several years and in the wake of his death, evidence of his own public statements stand as a tragic indictment on a life that was defined by turmoil.

Driver’s father, Wayne, confirmed that his son died from a gunshot, following his detonation of an explosive device, that injured himself and a cab driver. An ex-military man himself, he said he understood that police were left with no alternative but to shoot Driver (24) to prevent him from detonating a second device, that police believed was intended for a suicide bomb mission. Wayne said his worst nightmare had come true, but that he was not surprised in light of the events leading up to the event.

Born into a Christian home in Winnipeg, Driver’s mother died when he was 7. His father later re-married and Driver is said to have withdrawn and become progressively more rebellious. In his late teens, Driver was exposed to Islam online and before long, his social media posts contradicted his public assertions that Muslims did not belong in the West. In October 2014 Canadian Security Intelligence Services (CSIS) became interested in Driver following a pro-ISIS tweet he made under the name of Harun Abdurahman. Then he was taken into custody on a peace bond in June 2015 under growing police concern that he might be a threat. He was released 8 days later under stringent conditions, including religious counselling and a ban on social media. Still, Driver remained adamant that he presented no threat.

Ironically Driver’s detonation may well have saved the lives of many people this week. Life as Harun seems to have held only turmoil, and sadly Aaron’s story is one recurring in the lives of many young people worldwide.