Police investigating ‘explosive device detonation’ at North Vancouver MLA’s office

An explosive device was set off outside the office of MLA Bowinn Ma early Friday morning.

Mounties in North Vancouver are investigating an “explosive device detonation” at the constituency office of North Vancouver-Lonsdale MLA Bowinn Ma early Friday morning.

Police were first called to the area around 2:45 a.m. after a caller reported “a loud bang” in the 100 block of West First Avenue, said North Vancouver RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Mansoor Sahak at a news conference Friday afternoon.

Responding officers did not find any evidence of the source of the noise, but police were called back to the area – this time on West Esplanade, about a block away from the initial call – for reports of an explosion around 4:15 a.m.

This time, responding officers found evidence “indicative of an explosive device detonation.”

Black charring could be seen on the building outside the entrance to Ma’s office, which was behind police tape as investigators gathered evidence at the scene.

CTV News Vancouver’s Mona Mahmoud said she heard and felt the incident around 4 a.m., describing it as “very loud and quite frightening.”

No one was injured in the incident, according to a statement from Ma, who said all meetings and appointments at her office Friday had been cancelled.

“Thankfully, nobody was injured, but incidents like this can be quite frightening,” the MLA, who also serves as B.C.’s minister of infrastructure said.

No threats to MLA beforehand

During the news conference, Sahak stressed that the investigation is in its early stages and said police “have not ruled out anything at this stage.”

Asked specifically whether Ma had received any specific threats in recent days, Sahak said police are “not aware of any.”

Speaking at an unrelated news conference Friday afternoon, B.C. Premier David Eby addressed the incident.

He deferred questions about what happened and the motive behind it to the RCMP, but he did say police had informed him the explosive device was “deliberately set.”

Sahak told the news conference that police had not confirmed whether Ma’s office had been targeted.

Video evidence sought

Police said the blast “breached the door and damaged the door frame.”

The North Vancouver RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit is leading the investigation, and officers from the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit, the Lower Mainland Integrated Police Dog Service and the Integrated Forensic Identification Service have all been on scene Friday.

While Ma’s office closed for the day, the rest of the building remained open, after police cleared it and deemed it safe.

Investigators are asking the public for help as they work to determine who is responsible for planting the explosive device.

Specifically, police are looking for dash cam or surveillance video recorded in the area of the explosion between 2:30 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. Friday.

Anyone who has such information should call North Vancouver RCMP at 604-985-1311 and quote file number 25-13204, police said, adding that tips can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

“This was a jarring incident that undoubtedly startled sleeping residents in the area,” said Sahak. “Our investigation is still in its earliest stages, but police will remain on scene for the time being while CCTV is canvassed from neighbouring businesses and additional evidence is collected.”

‘You have a right to safety at work’

Ma’s statement thanked community members who have expressed their concern.

“I am grateful to serve such a caring and compassionate community,” she said. “I’d also like to thank the officers who responded for their diligence and professionalism. Due to the active police investigation, I will not be able to provide more details at this time.”

In his own statement on social media, Eby described Ma as “an incredible community leader,” and said his thoughts are with her and her staff.

“No matter who you are, or what you do for a living, you have a right to safety at work,” the premier said.

Eby stopped short of calling the incident “political violence” during his news conference, noting that the motive remains unknown.

However, the premier referenced the recent shootings of two lawmakers in Minnesota and said violence and threats against elected officials and their staff undermine a basic principle of open, democratic government.

“It is something that does strike at the heart of the job that Minister Ma and that every elected official in this province is asked to do, which is to be available to the public, to have an office that’s open and welcoming,” Eby said. “On that level, alone, this is a very troubling incident.”