One suspect in Mississauga explosion might be female: police

MISSISSAUGA, Ont. — One of two suspects wanted in connection with an explosion that injured 15 people at a restaurant west of Toronto might be a woman, contrary to earlier reports, police said Tuesday.

Investigators originally said both suspects wanted in Thursday night’s blast at the Bombay Bhel restaurant in Mississauga, Ont., were men, but new video evidence and witness input suggests at least one of the suspects could be female, said Peel regional police Supt. Rob Ryan.

Police have finished their work at the scene of the blast and are now analyzing a collection of evidence that includes fingerprints, DNA, surveillance video, interviews with witnesses and remnants of the explosive device itself, Ryan said.

“Investigators spent hundreds of hours over the weekend combing the scene for every fine detail that might help them to understand what happened that night,” he said.

“What led the two suspects to detonate this device is still not clear,” he added. “We do not have clear motive and no one has claimed responsibility.”

Peel police have spoken to the RCMP and law enforcement and intelligence agencies across Ontario and have no evidence to suggest the bombing was an act of terror or a hate crime, Ryan said, nor is there any indication another attack may be imminent.

“We don’t have any messaging from before the incident or during the incident from these [suspects], no conversation that we are aware of,” he said.

Ryan thanked members of the public for their patience, and pledged to keep them updated as the case evolves.

“While we understand this investigation is drawing extensive public interest from around the world, we want you to understand this is a complex case and it’s going to take time to solve,” he said.