(JENNIFER STAHN / iNFOnews.ca)
March 31, 2014 - 9:15 AM
NOT A RANDOM ATTACK
KAMLOOPS — Members of an explosive disposal unit have safely detonated an explosive device found on the front steps of a house on York Avenue.
“The device has been made safe and our investigation is continuing as to who put the device on the doorstep,” said Kamloops RCMP Sergeant, Edward Preto.
Around 4 a.m., a resident at 769 York Avenue woke up after hearing an attempted break-in. A male suspect fled the scene when the resident looked outside. RCMP came to the home and discovered the explosive device left on the front doorstep. Police and the service dog were unsuccessful in locating the suspect.
Police say that this event was not a random attack — that there is a relation between the occupants of the house and the device. RCMP did not confirm if this attack was gang-related.
RCMP cordoned off a segment of the avenue and contacted the Vancouver Explosive Disposal Unit. Just before 10 a.m. when the unit arrived, police extended the perimeter of the crime scene, blocking traffic on 8 Avenue.
Students at Bert Edwards Science and Technology School, across the street from the residence, remained indoors for recess. Some parents came to collect their children early from school. Principal Paul Hambling said he was comfortable with the RCMP’s management of the threat. Superintendent Dr. Terry Sullivan was also on school premises.
“We took precautions of talking to the school vice-principal and the district superintendent and we had the children stay inside the school until the device was made safe,” Preto said.
“In consultation with the Explosive Disposal Unit we determined that if the children stayed inside the school, they would be safe”
To dismantle the device, the Explosive Disposal Unit used a Caliber Robot which removed the explosive from the doorstep. Two explosions were heard at 11:20 and 11:31 a.m. No shrapnel came from the explosions. As a precaution, a fire truck and two ambulances were nearby.
The RCMP are still investigating the incident and are searching for the suspect.
Anyone with any information on these incidents is asked to contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
To contact a reporter for this story, email gbrothen@infotelnews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
-This story was edited at 4:31, March 28, 2014 to include updates.
News from © iNFOnews, 2014