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Surrey MLA asks RCMP to investigate ‘concerning’ Facebook post about pressure cooker bomb

Police contacted an ‘individual’ and determined there is no danger to the public but the investigation continues
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It’s estimated Surrey’s Vaisakhi parade in Newton on Saturday drew more than 500,000 people. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

A Surrey MLA has asked the Surrey RCMP to investigate a disturbing Facebook post related to Surrey’s Vaisakhi parade, the latter which drew more than half a million to Newton’s streets on Saturday.

Someone identifying as Ryan McCabe wrote: “Imagine what one pressure cooker bomb could have done…missed opportunities suck.”

Surrey RCMP Corporal Elenore Sturko said Wednesday police have contacted “the individual” and determined there isn’t any danger and “no immediate threat to the public.”

“The post was Sunday, they actually located the person on Sunday and made sure there wasn’t any danger.

“But the file is still under investigation,” she said. “We received many people forwarding that to us over social media, contacting because of their concern with what they had read in that disturbing post. We’re taking the investigation very seriously. It is unlawful to incite hate and there are laws which prohibit spreading hateful messages over the internet and in public.

“The investigation is ongoing and we have been in contact with the person we believe was responsible for the post but have not made any arrest and of course no charges have been laid at this time.”

Jinny Sims, NDP MLA for Surrey-Panorama, asked the RCMP to investigate, calling the matter “Very concerning.”

“It’s kind of scary,” Sims told the Now-Leader. “I read that comment and I suppose we’re all feeling really raw after Christ Church in New Zealand and then the horrific bombings in Sri Lanka, and then this kind of a comment just can’t be taken as a joke anymore, or lightheartedly.

“Somebody sent me a copy of that – I was so shocked, and I couldn’t help it, so I just tweeted it out straight away and I left a message as well.”

Sturko said a “lot of people” had forwarded the Facebook post to police “which is a good thing because people do care and are concerned and want to make sure that there is no danger and we appreciate people passing information on to us so that we can look into it to ensure public safety.”

The Now-Leader reached out to the Facebook account on Tuesday and Wednesday. A response came back Wednesday morning declining comment.

Screen shot of Facebook page (Facebook image)

Screen shot of Facebook page (Facebook image)



tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com

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About the Author: Tom Zytaruk

I write unvarnished opinion columns and unbiased news reports for the Surrey Now-Leader.
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