Man Facing Threat And Mischief Charges

Brian MacKenzie Teepell/USPA 24 News - A man has been charged after he allegedly made a bomb threat, prompting a large evacuation order in downtown Halifax on Monday.

Ali Assakereh appeared in Halifax provincial court on Tuesday morning. The 54-year-old man is facing charges of uttering threats and public mischief. The threat was reportedly made to the U.S. consulate.

Halifax Regional Police (HRP) announced that it was first informed of a bomb threat to the U.S. consulate in Purdy’s Wharf at 6:15 p.m. Sunday. They identified the individual believed to have made the threats and started searching for him. Police discovered the man’s vehicle in the Purdy’s Wharf parkade on Upper Water Street around 8:10 a.m. Monday.

In a Halifax Regional Police news release, the spokesperson had this to say: “A propane tank and several containers believed to contain flammable liquid could be seen inside the vehicle." Police evacuated the parkade around 8:45 a.m. and an Explosive Disposal Unit responded to the scene. Officers also found a “suspicious bag” nearby. Man arrested in Clayton Park

Authorities arrested the suspect on Thomas Raddall Drive near the Canada Games Centre in Clayton Park around 8:35 a.m. Monday.

In light of concerns that he may possess explosives, road closures were established for much of the day on Thomas Raddall Drive and surrounding areas while his belongings were searched with the support of the RCMP Explosive Disposal Unit,” the update explains.

At 10:15 a.m., the downtown evacuation area was expanded to encompass several downtown streets, including multiple hotels, restaurants, Scotia Square, and government offices. An emergency alert was issued at approximately 10:30 a.m. to inform the public of the bomb threat, stating that the police had the area, including the suspicious vehicle, under control. As a precautionary measure, vehicles and pedestrians were advised to avoid the area. Furthermore, some Halifax Transit buses were rerouted to avoid the affected area.

Police provided a reassuring update just before 1:30 p.m., confirming that the Clayton Park area was safe with no ongoing threat, and about 30 minutes later, they extended this reassurance to the downtown area, where affected roads were reopened.