Bomb suspect dead after two explosions
EDMONTON • The RCMP are investigating the source of two explosions that rocked the underground parkade of a community centre east of Edmonton Tuesday night and the death of a 21-year-old man found in a vehicle parked at the scene.
Officers responded to a call of a fire at the Strathcona County Community Centre at around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and located the 21-year-old male suspect seriously injured. The man was transported to hospital where he later died.
About two hours after the original call, at 8:15 p.m., another device exploded in the same parkade while officers were investigating the original call.
Strathcona County Mayor Rod Frank was in the community centre building at the time.
“I did witness smoke and fire in the aftermath. Obviously, this could have been far more tragic and I’m grateful to the rapid and professional response of our emergency responders and the RCMP to minimize the risk to our residents.”
Global News reported that its security sources said explosive material believed to be Tannerite — a brand of binary explosive targets used for firearms practice — was packed in the 21-year-old suspect’s car in the parkade.
The sources described it as a “homemade,” vehicle-borne improvised explosive device.
The community centre houses the Strathcona County office, council chambers and the town library.
The surrounding buildings were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
The cause and origin of the explosions have yet to be determined, RCMP Supt. Dave Kalist said at a news conference on Wednesday.
“We don’t yet have a motive for this incident. That is certainly part of the investigation,” Kalist said.
The major crimes unit has now taken control of the investigation, he said.
Kalist said no officers were injured and at this stage no further suspects are being sought. The man’s death was not related to police interaction, he said.
Kalist said police believe
WE DON’T YET HAVE A MOTIVE FOR THIS INCIDENT.
the incident is “localized to the county hall complex and there is no further risk to the public.”
The bomb disposal unit will “remain on scene and the area will remain secure until we are able to determine a cause of the explosion and ensure that there are no other potential threats,” he said.
Kalist said they are unsure if the parkade sustained any structural damage.
The mayor said he has confidence in the police to determine the motive behind the explosions.
“While these unprecedented explosions have rocked our close-knit community I know that our community will overcome this isolated incident.
“It’s impossible to know right now the motivation for this desperate action.”
Frank said the community centre and county hall buildings will remain closed until the investigation is complete.
Sharon Siga, the library’s director, said an explosion could be felt inside the building at the time of the fire, but library staff got out safely.
Jim Cochrane, a former Edmonton Journal photographer, said he and his wife were at their weekly square dancing session at Festival Place when a police officer carrying a long gun came in to order them to leave.
“He talked to our director, and then he asked us all to pack up and leave,” he said. “’Just go quietly and no panic’ were his words.”
While some in the area reported hearing loud bangs, Cochrane said no one heard anything over the music. Officers directed traffic as vehicles left the parking lot.
Residents of the Bedford Seniors Centre were evacuated to nearby St. Theresa school and people attending a concert at Festival Place were also evacuated.
The incident prompted Elk Island Public Schools to close Salisbury Composite High School for the day.