Canada police foil mass shooting plot
February 14, 2015
Police said the plot involved a young man and woman who intended to "go to a public venue in the Halifax region on February 14th with a goal of opening fire to kill citizens, and then themselves.
The pair, a 19-year-old Canadian man and a 23-year-old woman from Illinois, had access to firearms and the possibility to cause a "large loss of life," said Brian Brennan, Nova Scotia Royal Canadian Mounted Police Commanding Officer.
Three people have been arrested. The 19-year-old suspect was found dead at a residence when police entered the home. The female American suspect was arrested as she arrived at Halifax's airport. Two other male suspects aged 20 and 17 were also arrested, although their exact involvement is still to be determined, police said.
"We believe we have apprehended all known individuals in this matter and have eliminated the threat. We are not seeking any further suspects at this time in relation to this investigation," Brennan said.
Brennan dismissed suggestions of terrorism, saying he would not classify the incident as a "terrorist event." A possible motive has not been made public.
jr/sb (Reuters, AFP, AP)