Hunt on for two suspects as 15 people injured in Mississauga restaurant explosion
A bombing at a crowded Indian restaurant in Mississauga injured 15 people — including three critically — in an explosion that one resident who lives four kilometres away described as a “small earthquake.”
There’s no indication that this was a hate crime or an act of terror but nothing has been ruled out at this stage of the investigation, Peel Region police Chief Jennifer Evans said at a Friday morning news conference.
Police are looking for two suspects behind an explosion at an Indian restaurant in Mississauga Thursday night, sending 15 people to hospital. (Rene Johnston / Staff photographer)
“I want the community to know that every available police resource is being used to locate the people responsible for this horrendous act,” she said.
In a surveillance image released by police, two men wearing hoodies and with their faces covered can be seen walking into Bombay Bhel restaurant on 5035 Hurontario St. near Eglinton Ave., at around 10:30 p.m. Thursday.
The pair detonated what’s believed to be an improvised explosive device before fleeing the scene, police said.
Witnesses reported seeing one of the men carrying what appeared to be a pail or paint can into the restaurant, Peel police spokesperson Sgt. Matt Bertram said, and that there were “indications” the pair fled east behind the building. He said the canine unit tried to track them, but without any luck.
“They were tracking for a while, and I know that’s what led, east of that location, to some taped-off areas,” he said.
Peel Police chief Jennifer Evans said at a press conference that the restaurant has been cleared and placed under lockdown in order to conduct a proper investigation. “[There] is no indication that this is a hate crime,” Evans said. (Rene Johnston / Toronto Star)
Bertram said they sealed off a couple areas east of the restaurant where footprints, a glove and other evidence was located. Police believe the suspects fled the area in a car.
He said police were waiting to get a warrant to enter the restaurant, saying one was not necessarily required to enter a crime scene.
“We’re going to play it safe, do everything we can, to make sure we’re not going to lose this case based on the technicality of a warrant, and to give us proper judicial authorization to enter there and collect evidence,” he said.
The explosion occurred as two separate birthday parties were going on inside the restaurant.
Peel police say that two suspects allegedly detonated an explosive device inside a Mississauga restaurant Thursday night.
“Glass was broken in the street,” said Rafael Conceicao, a student from Sao Paulo, Brazil, who was near the restaurant when the explosion occurred.
“Everything was destroyed. Lots of blood in the floor. Many people were screaming. They were trying to run out from the restaurant.”
Three people were taken to Sunnybrook hospital in Toronto with critical injuries, Peel Region paramedic Joe Korstanje told the Star.
Those three victims — a 35-year-old Brampton man, a 62-year-old Mississauga woman and a 48-year-old Mississauga woman — are in stable condition.
The other 12 people suffered what Korstanje described as minor or superficial wounds and taken to three separate hospitals. Officials say all 12 have been released.
Police chief Evans said children under the age of 10 were present at the time of the explosion, though none of them were hurt.
The presence of youngsters was particularly shocking to Mississauga Mayor Bonnie Crombie, who said the brazenness of the attack resonated with her as a mother.
“It is a heinous, reprehensible act, committed by cowards who would come into a restaurant where people are vulnerable, celebrating with their families, where children are present,” Crombie said.
“Whoever has committed this heinous act needs to answer for their crimes and be brought to justice.”
She was visibly shaking as she spoke.
“This is not the Mississauga that I know,” she said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Ottawa was “working closely” with police and officials in Mississauga.
“We’re in solidarity with the victims of this violence, and wish a swift recovery to the injured,” Trudeau tweeted.
At night, the quiet suburb echoed with the sirens of dozens of police cars and emergency vehicles. The explosion shook the neighbourhood.
“I thought there was an accident as it was huge thud of noise,” Vikram Mann, who was in the Tim Hortons parking lot in the plaza across the intersection.
“It felt like a mini earthquake.”
Mann said he’s gone to this restaurant with his kids “many times.”
“After hearing that it was a bomb blast it brings shiver down my spine,” Mann said.
Local resident Martin Cybelius, who lives about four km south of the restaurant, said he experienced what felt like a “small earthquake,” and subsequently saw police cruisers and ambulances rushing towards the area.
By morning, the usually lively plaza was cordoned off with yellow police tape. Six police cars remained on the scene. The doorway and window of the Indian restaurant were visibly shattered, a white piece of paper stuck at the entryway. Around 30 cars remained there.
The plaza is one of three at the Hurontario St. and Eglinton Ave. intersection, each home to various multicultural services. Next to Bombay Bhel is Service Ontario, an LCBO, a walk-in-clinic and a Shoppers Drug Mart.
Peel police say there is no indication an explosion which injured 15 people at a Mississauga restaurant was an act of terrorism or a hate crime. (The Canadian Press)
In the plaza south of the intersection is Oceans Fresh Food Market, one of the largest Asian grocery stores in the city, and another Indian restaurant.
To the west of the intersection, is the Emerald Chinese restaurant, one of the city’s top 10 eateries.
The several apartments and surrounding homes reflect the diversity of the strip malls that cater to them.
The South Asian community is the No. 1 reported visible minority in Mississauga, according to the 2016 Stats Canada census, with more than 165,000 people or 23 per cent of the city’s population.
Bombay Bhel is popular with the community, serving a full halal menu. It is usually open until around 11 p.m.
Samra Zafar, a resident in a nearby apartment, was in her building’s underground parking when the explosion happened. Her 17-year-old daughter was in the Starbucks across from the restaurant at the time.
“She walked home and she heard the explosion,” Zafar said. “A lot of people came out from their apartments to the hallway, confused about what it was.”
From their apartment window facing Hurontario St., they watched emergency vehicles rush to the plaza. She thought it was a bad accident.
“This stuff doesn’t happen in Mississauga,” she said.
Zafar was still shaken by what happened the morning after.
“If (my daughter) was only half an hour late, she would have been there,” she said. “It’s a very scary thought.”
The restaurant thanked the community for their support in a Friday morning Facebook post.
“It was an extremely horrific and sad incident that happened at our Hwy 10 location yesterday evening,” the post reads. “We want to thank you for all of your support and well wishes, especially to the families that were affected. At this time, the police are undergoing a full investigation to ensure the individuals are apprehended.”
Omar Alghabra, the local MP, told reporters outside the House of Commons that he was alarmed to hear about the explosion. He lives in a condo unit across the street from the restaurant, has met the owner and frequently goes there for takeout.
“I extend my thoughts to the victims and their families and all those who are affected, and I hope that the police are able to apprehend those who are responsible and hold them accountable,” he said.
On social media, the Consulate General of India in Toronto said it has opened a helpline for anyone in need of assistance as a result of the explosion. The consul general Dinesh Bhatia visited Sunnybrook and confirmed that the three Indian-Canadians critically injured are stable now.
The hunt is underway across the GTA for the two suspects.
Police are describing the first suspect as mid-20s, 5-10 to 6-feet, light skin with a stocky build, wearing dark blue jeans, a dark zip-up hoodie and a baseball cap with a light grey peak.
The second suspect is described as 5’9”-5’10” with fair skin and a thin build, wearing faded blue jeans, a dark zip-up hoodie, grey T-shirt and dark-coloured skate shoes.
The public can contact 905-453-2121 with information. Peel police is liaising with multiple law enforcement agencies in the GTA. Police are looking for anyone who has dash cam or other video that may help the investigation.
Information may also be left anonymously by calling Peel Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or by visiting www.peelpolice.ca.
With files from Mississauga News, Jacques Gallant, Alex Ballingall, Ilya Banares, Inori Roy, Jenna Moon and The Canadian Press
