STRATHROY – A terrorism suspect was killed in a confrontation with police in the southern Ontario town of Strathroy, The Canadian Press has confirmed.
The Mounties say they received credible information of a potential terrorist threat earlier in the day.
They say a suspect was identified and the “proper course of action has been taken” to ensure that there was no danger to the public.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale said he had spoken to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the events “to confirm that public safety has been and continues to be properly protected.”
The RCMP, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and other police and security agencies were involved in the operations, he added.
The lone male suspect was linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, CTV News reported.
Residents of Strathroy, a community of about 20,000 west of London, said dozens of police officers from the RCMP, OPP and Strathroy-Caradoc police surrounded a home on Park Street in a quiet residential neighbourhood at about 4 p.m.
Maria Mendonca, who lives in the neighbourhood, said she heard some loud noises before seeing police. She said it sounded like shots.
Other people said they saw police searching a vehicle for a bomb.
People inside the police perimeter are being asked to stay inside their homes.
Police were being tight lipped about the major operation in Strathroy and did not respond to questions whether the investigation is linked to the potential terrorist threat reported by the RCMP Wednesday evening.
“A suspect was identified and the proper course of action has been taken to ensure that there is no danger to the public’s safety,” the RCMP said.
The RCMP said details about the threat would be released at a news conference Thursday.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has spoken to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the events.
There was also a heavy police presence Wednesday night at Wilfrid Jury public school on Lawson Road in
northwest London.
“We are currently in the area for an investigation and we are going to remain in the area for public safety,” Const. Kim Flett said.
She would not give any details on the nature of the investigation.
(Sourced from agencies, Feature image courtesy:syrianfreepress.wordpress.com)
